She’s a competitive juggernaut. A fixture on the CT for seven years, global citizen (Costa Rica, Fiji, Hawaii) Brissa Hennesy’s biggest fame outside of the World Surf League comes from representing Costa Rica at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. She’s put in her time, and reaching this elite status typically means a certain lack of frivolity: 24/7 trainers, being shadowed by a coach, checking pulse rates between swigs of some weird protein smoothie concoction… You get the idea.
So it was a surprise to find Brisa among the freaks and geeks at the Stab Electric Acid Surfboard Test at the Palm Springs Surf Club.
Among the Alt Pros like Harry Bryant, Jaleesa Vincent, and Mason Ho, I bumped into style guru Devon Howard, who pointed out the diminutive Channel Islands team rider. WavePoolMag discovered she’s not the button-down pro the WSL would have us believe. We spoke with Brisa at length about wave pools (of course) and learned that she subscribes to the mantra that making more surfers means making more environmental stewards, and if wave pools push those numbers, the artificial wave space is not such a bad thing after all.
Being on tour means regularly surfing KSWaveCo technology, either in Lemoore or Abu Dhabi. Photo WSL
Tell me about your wave pool experience. Have you surfed many pools?
I think I’ve served probably four in total. I’m serious, just four, Kelly’s, Abu Dhabi, Boa Vista, and now Palm Springs Surf Club.
Does one stand out more than the other?
To me, the Boa Vista wave pool was the closest one to that ocean feel I think I’ve ever felt. Super rippable, maneuverable. It had that kind of water density feel, too. I feel other wave pools just feel a little less buoyant or something. Maybe something to do with the pneumatic technology and the shoulder coming at you. I’m not an expert in that field, but it definitely felt really rippable and easy for someone to transition from the ocean to surfing the wave pool.
How do wave pools relate to ocean surfing?
I think for me, they’re different for sure. I would say the crossover is awesome. The technology and where it’s going, and the future of getting more people being able to experience that sensation of riding a wave is insane. But I do feel like they’re definitely different in my opinion.
You have such a strong competitive resume. Do you see wave pools helping performance?
For sure. The ocean — the one thing about the ocean, it’s hard to be repetitive or get that same section and that same wave. Being able to have this opportunity where you’re able to have an air section constantly is insane. It’s definitely going to progress the sport. You’re already seeing it right now. The future is really bright.
Do you have a wave pool session that stands out to you?
I think when I went to Boa Vista, being in the pool, I had a really cool crew with me. It was Lakey Peterson, Mateus Herdy, and Ian Gouveia. It was a really rad crew. I think we were all pushing each other. We all have different strengths and everything. Mateus is just insane in the air. He’s one of my best friends. Being able to get tips from him in a wave pool setting because he has it on lock is incredible.
You’ve been to Kelly’s and Abu Dhabi, which typically top the list for these next questions, what wave pool would you love to surf that you haven’t surfed yet?
I’m wide open. I’d like to try a Wavegarden Cove. That would be great as the waves are a bit longer than here in Palm Springs. It would help, get a better feel for one of these alternative shapes that we’re trying today. But here today, the Stab EAST event is really cool. Just the area and the vibe and everyone is having a fun time. A wave pool makes an event like this possible.
How about surf culture with people starting in a wave pool and then transitioning to the ocean — what are your thoughts on that?
Totally. Widening the funnel to channel people into surfing. Honestly, I feel like the more surfers, the better the planet will be. That connection to the ocean is a fundamental part. For people to experience that is everything. It’s incredible for the sport. Getting more access — it’s making lineups more crowded, but wave pools are a good way of making sure that there are waves for everyone.