Canadian surfer Erin Brooks clinched the Fiji Pro championship, marking her second consecutive victory on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. The 19-year-old secured the title after Australian competitor Isabella Nichols withdrew from the final due to an ankle injury sustained during her semifinal triumph over Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica.
Expressing her joy, Brooks stated, “I feel incredibly happy. Winning these two events back-to-back has been an unbelievable experience. I never imagined achieving this at the beginning of the year, but now I am overjoyed.” She also expressed disappointment for Nichols, wishing her a speedy recovery and acknowledging her impressive performance in the recent events.
Brooks made history in Fiji, where she had previously emerged as the winner in 2024 as a wildcard entrant. She defeated Olympic silver medalist Tatiana Weston-Webb to secure her first Tour victory, becoming the first Canadian surfer to achieve this feat. Recently, she triumphed at the Tahiti Pro competition by defeating Israel’s Anat Lelior in a come-from-behind victory, making her the youngest winner of the event.
Following her successive wins, Brooks has climbed from 19th to eighth place in the global women’s rankings. Surf Canada’s Director-Chairman, Lionel F. Conacher, praised Brooks’s achievements, highlighting her victories as a significant milestone for Canadian surfing and commending her talent and dedication.
Originally from Texas and raised in Hawaii, Brooks has familial ties to Canada through her American-Canadian dual citizen father and Montreal-born grandfather. Despite facing challenges in obtaining Canadian citizenship, she successfully acquired it in 2024, which affected her Olympic qualifying opportunities. Nonetheless, her stellar performance in recent competitions reflects her exceptional skills and determination.
At the Fiji Pro, Brooks kicked off with a perfect 10-point ride in the opening round, showcasing her prowess. She continued her winning streak by defeating top competitors like Caroline Marks and Carissa Moore en route to the final, where she emerged victorious once again. With her confidence soaring, Brooks looks ahead to the upcoming WSL event, the Lexus Trestles Pro in San Clemente, California, scheduled for September 11-20.