Brisa’s life has been anything but normal. Born in Costa Rica to American parents who had established a surf school in the Central American nation, she was raised there until the age of nine, before her family relocated to Oahu, Hawaii, from where they also spent their summers living and working on the island of Namotu in Fiji. The majority of Brisa’s adult years have been spent with no fixed address, especially after qualifying for surfing’s Championship Tour (CT) in 2018 at the age of 18.
Brisa had a highly successful junior career that included a win in the trials at the 2016 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, which gave her the opportunity to compete in her first CT when she was only 16. She then became the first surfer from Central America to be represented in the Olympic Games after qualifying for Tokyo 2020 in her rookie year on the CT in 2019. Placing in the Quarterfinals there was a huge result that stands alongside her first CT victory in the 2022 Hurley Pro Sunset Beach.
Her overall 2022 season was her best yet, qualifying for her first appearance in the Rip Curl WSL Finals and placing No. 5 overall. After a difficult 2023 season which saw her relegated at the Mid-Season Cut, Brisa revealed she had been diagnosed with an adenoma, or non-cancerous tumor, on her pituitary gland. After undergoing treatment, she returned to the 2024 CT with an inspiring comeback season that included four third-place results (Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Bells Beach, Margaret River) and second-place at Teahupo’o Tahiti. She also made Costa Rica proud with her amazing performances at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, finishing fourth. Hennessy finished the 2024 CT season ranked fourth in the world.
Brisa’s connection to the ocean goes beyond her surfing career—she’s also a passionate advocate for marine conservation. As someone whose livelihood depends on the health of our oceans, Brisa views giving back as an integral part of her role, both as an athlete and as a global citizen. She works closely with the World Surf League’s (WSL) One Ocean initiative, which aims to protect the ocean and preserve the future of surfing for generations to come.
The WSL One Ocean initiative collaborates with WSL’s nonprofit arm, WSL PURE, to fund and promote ocean protection projects worldwide. These efforts include supporting grassroots organizations focused on coastal restoration, eliminating plastic pollution, and taking climate action. At every CT event, Brisa not only represents Costa Rica and her surfing community but also champions the mission of ocean stewardship, inspiring fans and communities alike to take action. Whether it’s participating in local impact projects or amplifying the voices of the local conservation organizations One Ocean is collaborating with, Brisa’s dedication to protecting the planet is as powerful as her performances in the water.
