The Olympics are welcoming surf competition for the very first time ever. After a few years of Olympic-trial contests in Costa Rica, we are proud that this country has not one, but two surfers going to Tokyo 2020. Even more amazing is the fact that both Costa Rica surfer Olympic reps are female. Brisa Hennessy of Matapalo, and Leilani McGonagle of Pavones are our champions!
BRISA HENNESSEY
When Brisa Hennessy dipped her board in the Queensland, Australia water 3 years ago, she accomplished something no Tico—male or female—had ever done. She became the first Costa Rican to compete on the World Surf League’s (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). This top-tier professional competitive circuit has pit Hennessy against her idols. Gals like world champion Stephanie Gilmore (Australia), Carissa Moore (Hawaii) and others.
“Everyone is unique and inspiring in so many different ways. This has made me grow as a surfer and person. I needed to bring out my surfing and get the best waves. To get a heat win in any CT event helps your confidence a lot,” she said at the time. “To have my name, number and the Costa Rican flag on my jersey, getting to surf against my heroes—it still feels pretty surreal. ”
“I was born in Matapalo on the Osa Peninsula. My parents ran a surf school, so I practically was born in the ocean. I grew up there until my 9th birthday,” Hennessy added. “What a blessing to be born in a place this beautiful. Costa Rica is where I fell in love with the surf and I stood up on my first wave when I was 3 years old.”
Now 21, she’s had a few seasons on the CT, always in the Top 20. Hennessy is currently #15 in the world rankings this year. However, it was not a given she’d be chosen to as one of the Costa Rica surf Olympic rep sin Tokyo. The International Olympic Committee requires that all athletes regardless of sport, do well in its various qualifying competitions. For surfing, this included the CT, and Qualifying Series (QS) placement. Also, her gold medal at the Pan American Games, and the showings in various World Surfing Games around the globe. Fortunately, she met the qualifications early on in the process.
LEILANI MCGONAGLE
Last month, Leilani McGonagle finished 5th globally at the ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador. This result became her ticket to Tokyo 2020, and the second of the Costa Rica surfer Olympic reps.
The 20-year-old comes from a surfing family in Pavones—her brother, Noe Mar, is a gold medal World Surfing champion! She has a nice collection of trophy hardware. Her stash includes team gold, and individual silver, bronze and copper medals from numerous ISA World Surfing Games, national Women’s championships, team and individual gold medals from the first-ever Olympic sanctioned Central American Sports Games. She’s also been the World Surf League’s (WSL) North American Junior champion. Occasionally she participated on the QS, even winning a couple of individual contests.
“Leilani’s style is very fluid and she adapts to the conditions at hand very well. Her backhand is powerful when she gets the right section and her forehand carves are some of the best among the QS women when she’s in rhythm,” said Andrew Nichols, World Surf League.
OLYMPICS BOUND
Now, the only thing left to do, is to root for McGonagle and Hennessy at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The contests will take place beginning July 25 (Japan date) at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach. Get the updated schedule here
