If you were standing on the south side of the Oceanside Pier this past September, you probably felt that weird mix of sticky saltwater air and pure adrenaline that only the Super Girl Surf Pro can pull off. It’s loud. It’s crowded. Honestly, it’s a bit chaotic. But for the 2025 edition, something shifted.
We didn't just see another local victory. For the first time in the event's nearly two-decade history, an international surfer walked away with the red cape. That’s huge.
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The Super Girl Surf Pro Oceanside 2025 wasn't just a surf contest; it was a 4,000-point WSL Qualifying Series battleground that felt way more intense than your average beach festival. While the Lupe Fiasco and Plain White T’s concerts kept the crowds on the sand happy, the real story was happening out the back, where the ocean was being stubborn and the stakes were massive for the 2026 Challenger Series.
The Historic Breakthrough: Leilani McGonagle’s Maiden Cape
For ten years, Leilani McGonagle has been showing up to Oceanside. Ten years of grinding through heats, hitting the pier, and watching someone else put on that superhero cape.
Basically, she was the "always a bridesmaid" of the Super Girl Pro.
That ended in 2025. The Costa Rican standout finally broke the curse, becoming the first-ever international surfer to win the event. It wasn't a fluke, either. To get to that final, she had to dismantle a field of 112 surfers, including a Round of 16 clash with Lanea Mons and a heavy quarterfinal against 2024 champ Kirra Pinkerton.
The final against Alyssa Spencer was a nail-biter. Spencer is a local legend from Encinitas and already had two capes in her closet. She wanted that third one bad. She actually led early on with a 5.67, but McGonagle stayed patient. At the ten-minute mark, a set finally swung wide. McGonagle absolutely unleashed on her forehand, carving through multiple sections to drop an 8.17—the highest score of the final.
Final score? McGonagle 14.10, Spencer 13.43.
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It was close. Really close. But as the clock wound down, the ocean just didn't give Spencer the opportunity to answer back. Seeing Leilani finally get that cape—after a decade of trying—felt like a "full circle" moment for everyone who follows the QS.
Why the Super Girl Surf Pro Oceanside 2025 Matters for the WSL Rankings
Most people think of this as just a fun beach day, but for the athletes, this is a high-pressure points grab.
Because it’s a QS 4,000 event, the winner takes home a massive chunk of points toward qualifying for the Challenger Series. This win bumped McGonagle up to No. 5 in the North America rankings. Meanwhile, Alyssa Spencer used her runner-up finish to build momentum for her eventual "redemption" win later in the season in Jacksonville.
The Standouts You Might Have Missed:
- Bailey Turner: She was the dark horse. She took down Sanoa Dempfle-Olin in the quarters and finished as a semifinalist, grabbing the No. 1 spot in the North America rankings at the time.
- Moana Jones Wong: The Pipe Pro queen proved she isn't just a heavy-water specialist. She hacked her way to the semifinals, proving she’s a legitimate threat even in the punchy, sometimes messy beach breaks of SoCal.
- Eden Walla: Still incredibly young, Walla entered as the defending champ and made it to the quarterfinals. She’s definitely the future of this sport.
It’s More Than Just a Surf Heat
You’ve got to hand it to Rick Bratman and the Super Girl crew—they’ve turned this into a massive ecosystem. This year featured over 600 female athletes across 10 different sports. While the surfing is the main draw, the beach volleyball and the new flag football tournaments were packed.
One of the coolest things I saw was the Rising Tides mentoring program.
On Friday morning, before the main heats got too crazy, about a dozen young girls got to paddle out with their idols. Alyssa Spencer was out there coaching 11-year-olds like Tate Archambault. It’s easy to be cynical about corporate-sponsored sports, but seeing a local pro who was once a mentee herself now coaching the next generation—that’s authentic.
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The Festival Vibe: Concerts and Closeouts
Let’s talk about the atmosphere. It was loud. Between the DJ showcase on the main stage and the 17 free concerts, there was never a quiet moment. Lupe Fiasco headlining Saturday night brought a different energy to the pier than we usually see during a surf contest.
But it wasn't all sunshine. Sunday was actually a bit rainy and grey, which made the surfing conditions "testy," as the commentators liked to say. The waves were closing out quickly, meaning the surfers had to be extremely selective. That’s why McGonagle’s 8.17 was so impressive; she found the one wave that actually had a shoulder in a sea of closeouts.
Actionable Insights for Next Year
If you’re planning on hitting the 20th anniversary Super Girl Surf Pro in 2026, here is the reality of how to do it right:
- Don’t park near the pier: Honestly, just don’t. Use the outskirts of downtown Oceanside or take the Coaster train. You’ll save an hour of frustration.
- Friday is the best day: If you actually want to see the surfing and maybe meet a pro without 40,000 people in the way, go on Friday. The crowds are way thinner.
- Watch the "Goal Stage": People overlook the panel discussions. Hearing world-class athletes talk about the business side of sports is often more interesting than the 20-minute music sets.
- The South Side is the "Sweet Spot": Most people cram onto the pier. If you want the best view of the surfing maneuvers, sit on the sand just south of the pier. You'll get the best angle on the turns.
The Super Girl Surf Pro Oceanside 2025 proved that women's surfing isn't just growing—it's evolving into a global powerhouse. When a Costa Rican takes the title in a Southern California backyard, it sends a message that the talent pool is deeper than it’s ever been.
If you want to keep an eye on the results as they impact the 2026 season, track the WSL North America Qualifying Series rankings. The points earned at the pier usually dictate who we see on the world stage the following year.