Emily Gussoni is a successful professional surfer from Costa Rica. She was born and raised in Costa Rica but her father is Italian.
Her dual nationality allowed her to represent Costa Rica earlier in her career and most recently Italy in prestigious competitions all over the world.
Gussoni is a former national champion in Costa Rica, top 10 ISA Junior and top 150 of the QS. She finished second in the 2018 Krui Pro Qualifying Series (QS) event in Indonesia and in the Open de Surf Las Américas in Tenerife earlier this year.
She checked in with me to discuss her career, her inspiration and more.
Check our conversation in the transcript below:
Can you share what it was like to grow up in Jacó?
Jacó is a really small town, but we have everything we need! Playa Hermosa is five minutes away I surf there every day super fun waves and the most important we have waves all year!!
How did you get started in surfing?
I was eight years old when I started surfing, in Jacó Costa Rica, in a surf camp with Andrea Diaz.
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What’s the biggest obstacle that you had to overcome, personally and professionally?
The biggest obstacle you’ll ever have to overcome is your mind, if you can overcome that, you can overcome anything!!!
What was your favorite competition so far?
Krui, Indonesia 2018 (Qs 1000)
Who has been your biggest inspiration in surfing and in life?
In Surfing Carissa Moore. In Life Bethany Hamilton.
How have you dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, have you been able to surf?
I wasn’t able to for two months, it was pretty hard but I dedicated that time for training and I even started another sport (Mountain Bike).
You are a role model for young people all over the world. What message do you have for them, especially for those who want to surf?
I would say to the new generation to believe in themselves!! Find something that you are passionate about and whatever you do, it doesn’t matter what it is do it with a lot of love and dedication!!!
Disfrutando al máximo mis últimos días en Hawaii 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/rVeCCuQuUb
— Emily Gussoni (@emilygussoni) December 15, 2018
Tell us about your upcoming plans and where we can find you on social media.
All the contests got canceled for the rest of the year, so I’m gonna keep training and surfing a lot to be ready for next year!
You guys can find me on
Instagram – Emigussoni10
Facebook – Emily Gussoni
