Costa Rican surfer Leilani McGonagle, 24, scored a historic victory Sunday at the Super Girl Surf Pro, a World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 4,000 event held at Oceanside Beach, California, U.S.

McGonagle, from Pavones Beach, Puntarenas, became the first international athlete to ever win the event, defeating two-time champion Alyssa Spencer (USA) in a high-energy final. The win marks McGonagle’s first Super Girl title and the fourth QS win of her career, pushing her to No. 5 in the WSL North America rankings.

The final unfolded dramatically. Spencer grabbed an early lead with a 5.67, but McGonagle answered with a 5.93. Spencer quickly countered with a 6.50 before McGonagle powered through with an excellent 8.17, the highest score of the heat, to seal the victory.

“This is one of the events I really wanted to win because it was my first-ever QS,” McGonagle said after the award ceremony. “It’s a full-circle moment, almost 10 years since I first competed here. I’m just happy to be here with my mom and friends, and to finally make it happen.”

 

McGonagle fought through a tough field on her way to the final. She defeated Lanea Mons (USA) in the Round of 16, 2024 Super Girl Surf Pro champion Kirra Pinkerton (USA) in the quarterfinals, and former Pipeline Pro CT winner Moana Jones Wong (HAW) in the semifinals.

“I just want to keep growing in surfing,” she said. “These girls push me every day to be better. I’d tell young women to keep it fun and never lose the essence of surfing. Enjoy what makes you happy in the water.”

The WSL North America QS season continues next month with the La Marginal Surfing Pro QS 4,000, set for Oct. 29–Nov. 2.

McGonagle's breakthrough adds to an already strong season. In June, she placed second at the Krui Pro QS 6,000 in Indonesia.

Her win also underscores Costa Rica’s growing presence on the international sports stage. Recently, two Costa Rican athletes, Andrea Agüero Valle and Amalia Ortuño Lizano, claimed world titles at the 2025 Adaptive CrossFit World Championship in Las Vegas, U.S.

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