Brisa Hennessy, a tica surfer (a term used for a native of Costa Rica), was eliminated in the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro, competition which were part of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, held Saturday at Gold Beach in Queensland.

Hennessy, originally from the Osa Peninsula, competed in Heat 2, where she scored 11.20 points, placing behind American surfers Lakey Peterson (13.76) and Bella Kenworthy (11.33).

Peterson and Kenworthy advanced to the next round, while Hennessy dropped her overall WSL Championship Tour ranking from 10th to 17th place.

Following her elimination, Hennessy shared a reflective message with fans on social media:

"Some seasons bloom, others break you open. I showed up this year feeling the best I have in a long time clear, strong, and ready. It’s tough when things don’t go the way you feel," posted Brisa on her social media message to her fans. "But this is the challenge we sign up for. The discomfort, the setbacks, the not-quite-there... it’s all part of what pushes us to evolve. As athletes, we live for that edge, the space where growth happens. Still here. Still learning. Still as grateful."

Brisa will return to action at the Margaret River Pro, scheduled for May 17–27, 2025, in Western Australia. She will compete for a spot at the upcoming World Surf Games.

Hennessy represented Costa Rica at the 2024 Paris Olympics where she was eliminated in the women’s bronze medal surfing finals.

Brisa is the daughter of U.S. citizens, Katherine Malia Kobara from Hawaii, and her father, Michael James Hennessy from California.

The WSL Championship Tour includes international stops in Hawaii, the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, El Salvador, Australia, the United States, Brazil, South Africa, French Polynesia, and Fiji. The 2025 World Surf Tour runs from January 27 to September 4.

In other sporting competitions, the tica adaptive athlete Amalia Ortuño took first place at the Wodapalooza Adaptive CrossFit Games held in Miami Beach, FL, U.S.A.

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