Leilani McGonagle

Leilani McGonagle (born 14 November 1999) is a Costa Rican professional surfer who competes in the World Surf League. Her brother Noe Mar McGonagle is also a professional surfer.

Early life She was born to a British father and an American mother. She was diagnosed with scoliosis after her birth. Before she could walk, her parents pushed her into her first wave. Her father was also a surfer who grew up engaging in the sport of surfing in San Clemente. Her father later moved from the United States to Costa Rica after finishing his studies at the high school. Incidentally, surfing was included for the first time in Olympics for the Tokyo Games. She dedicated her Olympic qualification achievement to her friend and Salvadoran surfer Katherine Díaz Hernández who died in early 2021 when she was struck by lightning. She was eliminated in round 2 of the women's shortboard event.