19-year-old Brisa Hennesy has just clinched her spot on the 2019 World Championship Tour, achieving her lifelong dream of becoming an elite professional surfer in just her second full-time year battling it out on the Qualifying Series. This accomplishment also makes her the first-ever Costa Rican surfer to qualify for the World Tour.
Brisa fought her way to the top of the QS rankings this year, posting consistent results throughout all of the events – but it wasn’t until today at the Port Stephens Toyota Pro that she had a chance to solidify her place on the Dream Tour. In order to ensure her spot in 2019, she had to make it to the Semi-finals… and with her signature powerful surfing and stylish manoeuvres, she was able to do just that.
“No words can describe how I feel – this is a dream come true,” Brisa said. “There are so many people I need to thank and that have helped me along the way I just don’t know where to start. This is my best result all year but I when I was eliminated in the Semifinals it was kind of bittersweet as I wasn’t sure I had done enough to qualify. My goal at this event was to solidify myself on the CT – and it happened. I’m just over the moon.”
For as long as she can remember, qualifying for the WSL World Tour has been her dream. Born into a surfing family and raised in the Costa Rican jungle, she was immediately drawn to the ocean – learning to surf at just three years old. As an adolescent she and her parents moved to Oahu, Hawaii, where her passion for surfing only grew.
In July 2013, at the age of 13, she signed with Rip Curl and was catapulted into competitions around the world. Her desire to compete – and win – was instantly ignited. Since then she has spent her youth chasing her dream of the World Tour, travelling the world competing and growing in her surfing ability.
She and her family currently reside in Fiji, which has allowed her to become even more comfortable in big, powerful waves. Her comfort and experience in the ocean is sure to see her excel on the elite Tour.