Leilani McGonagle makes history at Super Girl Surf Pro
OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A few Southern California surfers pushed through to Finals Day of the Super Girl Surf Pro, but the cape ultimately went to Costa Rica's Leilani McGonagle.
Defeating Encinitas' two-time event victor Alyssa Spencer in the final, McGonagle earned her maiden victory and became the first international competitor in Super Girl history to do so.
In the final, McGonagle found an early opportunity to strike, but Spencer answered right back with a higher score of 5.67. The back-and-forth continued until the 10-minute mark, when McGonagle’s forehand power on multiple sections gave her a slight edge. Spencer was limited to one forehand hit on her next wave, followed by several closeouts as the clock expired.
"This is one of the events I really wanted to win because it was my first-ever QS. It's a very full circle moment after I think it's been 10 years since I first did this event," McGonagle told WSL. “These girls are the ones who push me every day to be better and keep showing. I'd tell the young women out there to keep it fun, keep surfing, and keep enjoying it. Never lose the essence of it because it's competition, just keep enjoying what really makes you happy in the water."
On her journey to the final, McGonagle took down several threats, including a few past Super Girl champions and several competitors who grew up just a short drive away from the battlefield.
Momentum for San Diego
Though Spencer fell short of a third Super Girl title, her runner-up finish gave her momentum for the rest of the season.
“I feel like I found my rhythm again. I haven't made it past the Quarters in a contest since Portugal nearly two years ago since it's been a long time since I've broken that Quarterfinal curse so it felt good to just show my surfing,” said Spencer. “I felt like we had opportunity and I felt like I could show what I could do. It was also a good chance to surf against Challenger Series surfers and build up some confidence heading back there. It helped me just get that motivation back after feeling like I've been in a rut it feels like. I just feel so at home here and it's an event I can find a lot of rhythm in."
She remains one of the only two surfers to claim a Super Girl win on both the East and West Coast.
Next stop: Puerto Rico
With the fourth stop for North America and second stop for Hawaii/Tahiti Nui underway, rankings leaders are beginning to gain control.
Bailey Turner from Huntington Beach and Moana Jones Wong from Hawaii take over the No. 1 spots leaving Oceanside.
The next stop of the 2025/2026 WSL North America Qualifying Series is the La Marginal Surfing Pro QS 4,000 beginning Oct. 29 through Nov. 2.
For more information, visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Super Girl Surf Pro Final Results:
1- Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 14.10 4,000 points
2- Alyssa Spencer (USA) 13.43 3,120 points
Super Girl Surf Pro Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 13.50 DEF. Bailey Turner (USA) 3.00
HEAT 2: Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 13.50 DEF. Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 7.60
Super Girl Surf Pro Quarterfinals Results:
HEAT 1: Bailey Turner (USA) 11.83 DEF. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 9.93
HEAT 2: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 12.43 DEF. Eden Walla (USA) 9.07
HEAT 3: Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 12.44 DEF. Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 11.17
HEAT 4: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 10.90 DEF. Sol Aguirre (PER) 10.44
Super Girl Surf Pro Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Bailey Turner (USA) 11.40 DEF. Kaia Howard (USA) 9.23
HEAT 2: Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 12.34 DEF. Reid Van Wagoner (USA) 10.93
HEAT 3: Eden Walla (USA) 14.40 DEF. Ocea Green (CAN) 10.77
HEAT 4: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 12.50 DEF. Zoey Kaina (USA) 12.34
HEAT 5: Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 11.84 DEF. Daya McCart (USA) 9.20
HEAT 6: Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 12.74 DEF. Lanea Mons (USA) 12.50
HEAT 7: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 11.50 DEF. Zoe Benedetto (USA) 5.50
HEAT 8: Sol Aguirre (PER) 14.83 DEF. Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) 10.66
Current North America Rankings:
1. Bailey Turner (USA)
2. Ella McCaffray (USA)
3. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN)
4. Reid Van Wagoner (USA)
5. Leilani McGonagle (CRC)
Current Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui Rankings:
1. Moana Jones Wong (HAW)
2. Aelan Vaast (FRA)
3. Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW)
4. Skai Suitt (HAW)
5. Kiara Goold (PYF)
