This is the first part in a series on young wahine surfers.
At just 15, Erin Brooks is pushing the limits of women's surfing in the air and in big barrels.
Before heading out to surf at Gas Chambers in Pupukea, the up-and-comer spoke with Spectrum News Hawaii about her surfing career.
Brooks lives on the North Shore of Oahu but originally hails from Boerne, Texas. She lived in Texas until she was 9 years old when her family moved to Hawaii.
"The first few days we were there, I got invited to a surf lesson and from the first wave I fell in love," said Brooks.
As for what she loves about surfing, she said she enjoys being in the water every day and traveling the world with her family.
Her favorite wave is at Macaronis. It’s a surf break in the Mentawai, an island chain that is part of Indonesia. Brooks said she went there this year and surfed at the break for nine hours straight.
“I think it is the most perfect left-hand wave I've ever seen. You can get barreled, do airs, and do so many turns,” said Brooks. “It's so much fun.”
Brooks has a long list of surf competitions on the horizon. Next up, Brooks will compete at the 2022 GromSearch National Final on Dec. 17 in Lemoore, California, at Surf Ranch, which is Kelly Slater’s wave pool.
“Every day I just try to have as much fun and push myself in and out of the water,” said Brooks.
As for her long-term goals, Brooks said she would love to qualify for the Olympics. She said she would likely represent Canada in the Olympics, because most of her dad’s side of her family are Canadian citizens. She previously won gold in the Girls U-16 division at the ISA World Junior Championship in El Salvador, earning Canada its first-ever Junior medal.
“They gave me so much, and I feel honored to represent the country,” said Brooks.
Brooks is also keen to give back to the community. The young dynamo does two giveaways each year with a custom Lost surfboard and gear from Rip Curl, Dakine, Oakley and Vertra with the help of her sponsors.
She also gives back by helping with beach clean ups all over the world on her travels, taking part in youth group activities with her church and taking kids surfing.
“Hopefully, I'm in front of the younger generation of girls and helping them know that they can do anything better than boys,” she added.
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her ideas and feedback at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.