Alyssa Spencer: Back On Tour
A Return Years In The Making
Alyssa Spencer, 23-year-old surfer from Encinitas, CA, is returning to the WSL Championship Tour. Seeing her surfing, personality, and mental strength develop over the past years makes it clear she's exactly where she belongs.
“It means so much to me. This has been my dream and the goal I’ve worked toward for the past 10 years,” she says.
The path back on Tour wasn’t just about results. The past year, she says, came with “really low moments behind closed doors” that tested her faith, strength, and perseverance.
She stayed with it.
“I’m really proud of myself for never giving up on my dreams,” she says. “More than anything, I’m proud of the woman I’ve become through it all.”
Time away from the Championship Tour gave her space to reset. She focused on her surfing, physical training, mindset, and personal growth.
“That (time away from the tour) gave me the space to figure out who I am outside of competing,” she says.
Watching her during major heats now, you can’t miss the shift. There’s more clarity in how she approaches competition, and more control and confidence in how she surfs. Working with her coach, Chris Gallagher, helped her reach another level, but she points to her mindset as the biggest change.
“I’m so much stronger, more resilient, and more confident in who I am as a person,” Alyssa says.
A Tour That Matches The Moment
The 2026 Championship Tour expands to 24 female surfers, and the mid-season cut has been removed. For Alyssa, it reflects the progression in women's surfing that we are witnessing.
“The talent pool in women’s surfing is so deep right now,” she says.
A full season creates space to show that depth across different waves and conditions.
She’s watched the level rise firsthand—heavier waves, bigger barrels, more commitment above the lip.
“The progression… has been incredible to watch,” she says.
What matters just as much to Alyssa is who’s watching it all unfold. Young girls, she inspires.
“What excites me most is where that’s heading and how many more young girls we can inspire along the way. Showing them what’s possible and helping them believe they can do it too is something that really motivates me,” says Alyssa.
Life Around The Ocean
Growing up in Encinitas, the community supported her from the beginning, and she couldn’t be more grateful for it. That support is still there today, and she makes a point to give it back.
She spends time at local competitions and community events, including sessions with WSL Rising Tides, where young girls paddle out and share waves with their idols. It’s her way of staying connected to where she came from and passing that support on to the next generation.
The coastline itself played its part too.
“We also have such a variety of waves, from beach breaks to reef breaks to point breaks, which gave me the perfect environment to learn, grow, and train for competition. I feel so grateful to have grown up in a place like that.”
Rhythm of Tour Life
Now, life on tour is a different challenge. Travel, long days in the water, constant movement. What keeps her steady is routine.
Hydration, training, stretching, and small habits that stay consistent no matter where she is.
“My key is making the road feel like home,” she says.
After long surf sessions, recovery stays simple. Stretching, yoga, good food, and hydration. Sauna, ice baths, and journaling help her reset at the end of the day.
Her routine starts early. Breakfast is non-negotiable—rice, eggs, avocado, and often leftover protein. Dinner follows the same approach. Simple, nourishing, consistent. And something sweet at the end.
“My favorite is dark chocolate with caramel and sea salt.”
Besides fueling herself with high-quality food, she needs to protect and nourish her hair and skin after long days in the sun and saltwater. Her connection to Coconut Smuggler came through her cousin Kyla Peterson, owner of Surfin Fire Oceanside. She tried the products and continued using them.
“I really appreciate that they’re reef-friendly, made with natural ingredients, and they actually work. My hair feels so much less damaged and really revived when I use them before and after surfing. On top of that, I love that it’s a woman-owned brand,” says Alyssa.
After surfing, she rinses her hair with fresh water and uses Coconut Smuggler’s Land Lubber Hair and Skin Reviver to bring it back to life.
“It really helps restore and revive it after long days in the ocean,” says Alyssa.
She typically travels with multiple board bags and luggage, but if she could only bring essentials, here is what she would pack: a bikini, sunscreen, Coconut Smuggler Duo, surf wax, sunglasses, a water bottle, and snacks.
Looking Ahead
We asked Alyssa what advice she would give her younger self and to girls who share the dream of becoming Championship Tour surfers.
“If you have a dream that sets your heart on fire—go for it. Have fun with it. Put in the work. Keep going.”
She doesn’t dwell on less-than-perfect results or setbacks. They’re part of it and something to learn from and move through.
“Don’t stress about every result or loss. Use them as motivation to grow.”
The rest is consistency. Keep showing up. Trust the process.
“You are exactly where you are meant to be.”
As the 2026 Championship Tour approaches, Alyssa Spencer steps back onto the stage with clarity, confidence, and a deeper foundation behind her. We’re wishing her a strong season ahead and can’t wait to see what’s next.
As part of the Coconut Smuggler community, she’s also sharing something with you. Use her code Alyssa20 for 20% off.