Erin Brooks, a 19-year-old surfer from Canada, claimed victory at the Fiji Pro competition, securing her second consecutive win on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. The triumph came after Australian competitor Isabella Nichols had to withdraw from the final due to an ankle injury sustained during the semifinal against Brisa Hennessy from Costa Rica.
Expressing her joy, Brooks stated, “I feel so amazing, I’ve just been having the best time these last two events.” She also expressed her disappointment for Nichols, whom she considers like a sister, and hoped for her quick recovery. Brooks acknowledged Nichols’ exceptional performance in the preceding events and the missed opportunity for a shared final.
The win marked a significant achievement for Brooks, who first made history in Fiji in 2024 as a wild-card entry and went on to claim her inaugural Tour victory by defeating Tatiana Weston-Webb of Brazil in the final. This victory also established Brooks as the first Canadian surfer to win a CT event.
In the previous month, Brooks emerged victorious at the Tahiti Pro competition in Teahupo’o, defeating Anat Lelior from Israel in the final, making her the youngest winner of that competition. Her consecutive wins have propelled her from 19th to eighth place in the world women’s rankings.
Lionel F. Conacher, the director-chairman of Surf Canada, commended Brooks’ back-to-back triumphs, highlighting her exceptional talent and the growth of surfing in Canada. Brooks, originally from Texas and raised in Hawaii, obtained Canadian citizenship in 2024 through her father’s ties to Canada.
Despite facing challenges in Olympic qualifying due to citizenship issues, Brooks showcased her skills at the Fiji Pro competition with an impressive performance, including a perfect 10-point ride in the opening round. She defeated strong competitors like Caroline Marks and Carissa Moore on her path to the final.
With her confidence soaring after two consecutive victories, Brooks looks ahead to the next WSL event, the Lexus Trestles Pro in San Clemente, Calif., scheduled from September 11-20.