Costa Rican surfer Brisa Hennessy was crowned champion of the 2026 EDP Ericeira Pro, held in Portugal, after staging a late comeback in the final. The victory, achieved on Monday, October 12, represents a key result in her bid to return to the Championship Tour, the highest level of professional surfing, in 2027.

Hennessy won the fourth stop of the Challenger Series, a circuit that gives surfers the opportunity to fight for a place among the world’s elite. The Costa Rican finished the final with a total score of 13.17 points, according to Costa Rican media reports.

A Decisive Comeback in the Final

Hennessy’s victory came after a closely contested final. For much of the heat, the Costa Rican surfer remained in fourth place, but she managed to change the outcome in the closing moments with a wave that earned 7.50 points.

That final performance brought her total to 13.17 points, allowing her to overtake her rivals and claim first place on the podium.

The result provides an important boost for Hennessy, who has been competing in the Challenger Series this season with the goal of returning to the world’s premier professional surfing circuit.

Brisa Hennessy Climbs to Fourth in the Rankings

Beyond winning the title in Portugal, the victory had a direct impact on the overall Challenger Series standings. Hennessy reached 18,340 points and climbed to fourth place in the women’s rankings.

This position provisionally places her among the surfers who would qualify for the 2027 Championship Tour, according to the standings published following the competition.

The race for qualification remains open, and the results of upcoming events will be crucial in determining which surfers secure their places in the top tier.

The Goal: Return to the Championship Tour in 2027

Brisa Hennessy has experience competing on the World Surf League (WSL) elite circuit, having first qualified in 2018 for the following season. She also represented Costa Rica at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Her participation in the Challenger Series during this stage of her career reflects her goal of reclaiming a place on the Championship Tour for the 2027 season.

According to figures published by CR Hoy following the Portuguese event, the women’s rankings award six places to the highest-ranked surfers at the end of the circuit. The next event scheduled to determine qualification is set for March 2027.

An Important Victory for Costa Rican Surfing

The EDP Ericeira Pro victory strengthens Costa Rica’s presence in international surfing competitions and keeps Hennessy in a favorable position in the race to return to the elite circuit.

For the athlete, the result represents an opportunity to finish the season with renewed competitive momentum. For Costa Rican surfing, it is also a standout performance on an international circuit that brings together athletes from different countries with the same goal: reaching the highest level of professional competition.

Sources consulted

• CR Hoy. “Spectacular Brisa! The Costa Rican Surfer Is Crowned Champion in Portugal.” October 12, 2026.
• Teletica. “Brisa Hennessy Reached the Top of the Podium in Portugal.” October 12, 2026.
• World Surf League (WSL). Official information on the Challenger Series and Championship Tour.
• Brisa Hennessy’s official website. Biography and sporting career.