The 19-year-old Hawaii native is showing Canada’s surfing team what she’s got. After becoming the youngest surfer to win the Tahiti Pro and one of the few women to score a perfect 10 at Cloudbreak Fiji, Brooks is already making her mark in the surf world. From learning from surfing legends to mastering her pre-competition mindset, Brooks shares her sentiments on the waves she’s conquered and the waters she’s looking forward to competing in next.

TOGETHXR: Hi, Erin! Congratulations on your recent win at the Tahiti Pro. You’ve won before, but this win is historic because you were the youngest person, male or female, to win. Obviously every win feels great, but how does it feel to know that you're adding a historic milestone win to your resume? 

Erin Brooks (EB): It honestly feels amazing. Teahupo’o is a wave that I wanted to win at so bad. The style of the waves really suits my surfing. I feel like every time I've competed there, I've always been a favorite. So, performing well was awesome, and being the youngest to ever win was crazy too. We got amazing waves the whole time. I was there with all my friends and family, and I was just having fun the whole time. I think that really showed throughout my performance. 

TOGETHXR: You're already in Fiji for the next event. How long can you ride the high of a win like that? Are you able to enjoy it, or do you have to move on immediately and get into a different mindset?

EB: Honestly, I was thinking about that yesterday — how fast we had to switch from one stop to the next. I think this is our closest one we’ve had on the tour, but I feel like it definitely gives you a lot of confidence, getting in the win. The field is so strong. Everyone's been surfing really well this year, and honestly, I haven't had my best season. Going into the back half of the season really flipped my emotions. I feel more confident in myself and my surfing — and I feel more ready to go than ever. 

TOGETHXR: Surfing is a sport that has a lot of young talent, but at the same time, you’re competing with some legends who have had so much longevity in surfing. What's it like to learn from different athletes at all different ages? 

EB: It's so amazing. Our tour honestly feels like a family. Everyone's always helping each other out, and I'm so lucky that Stephanie Gilmore and Carissa Moore came back this year. Carissa had her baby, and Steph took a break, but in my opinion, those two are the GOATs of women's surfing. I actually get to be with Steph a lot because we have the same coach. I'm always learning from them and seeing how they prep for events. I feel like it's really good for me to learn that because, growing up, I didn't do much competitive surfing. I did more free surfing and then went into competition when I was a bit older. To see how a GOAT practices for an event is honestly amazing. The guys, too, they're so helpful. They always give me great tips, and I love watching them, too. 

TOGETHXR: Do you feel like you gain more from them in terms of the actual practical side of surfing, or do you think that the biggest lessons that you've learned have come from seeing their mentality? 

EB: A lot of it is mentality. This year, Steph got a win at Snapper Rocks, and she hadn't made a heat all year. She was getting a bit bummed, but seeing her throw that in the back of her mind and focus on herself was super inspiring. She took it all the way. 

TOGETHXR: It's really cool to see what your evolution in surfing has been. You were born in a landlocked state. Your family moved to Hawaii when you were 9. Can you tell me a little bit more about your surf origin story and what made you realize that this is what you're going to pursue professionally? 

EB: I grew up in Texas and lived there until I was nine. I didn't know anything about surfing. When we moved to Hawaii, a friend invited me, and I picked it up super quick. I loved it and didn't want to go a day without surfing. I'm super competitive, and one of the first days that we were walking around behind Maui, I saw these kids doing a surf contest. I wanted to be a part of it, but I was still a beginner. That was what I was working toward at the beginning, so I felt like it helped me get better really fast. Hawaii's such a good place to grow as a surfer. You get to surf waves like Pipeline and be in a heavy ocean. I feel like that's helped me too. 

TOGETHXR: Do you feel like there was a moment where you knew that this is what you want your life to be?

EB: I think it was honestly from my first wave. I wanted to surf for the rest of my life. 

TOGETHXR: That's so romantic, we love it. Speaking of Pipeline, you’ve mentioned that you burned a guy before Pipeline Masters. Do you think that you could explain to us what that is and what surf etiquette is for people who don't understand that there is a way that things happen in the water?

EB: What I did is a big no-no. There's a really big local family who lives around that spot, and I went in front of him on the wave and burned his wave. He was super cool about it. Mostly, surf etiquette is being really respectful in the water, making sure you're taking turns and not lapping everyone. Being safe is really important, knowing your limits too. You don't wanna go out there on a big day when you're not comfortable, because you may hesitate and could injure someone else.

TOGETHXR: You're in Fiji right now, and that was actually one of the first places that you've won a CT event. Knowing that you get to ride this momentum of coming off of a win, what are you looking forward to in this next stop on the tour? 

EB: I'm just looking forward to being here. We all get to stay on the same island.  It's called Tavarua, and it feels like a summer camp. We play games. We obviously surf together, but then you have to take that away and focus on the competition. Cloudbreak is how we surf. It's one of my favorites in the world, and I feel so confident out there. It looks like we're gonna have some really fun waves. I'm just excited for it to start. 

TOGETHXR: Do you have a routine or a superstition that you feel you have to follow every time you're in a competition, or is it always changing?

 EB: I feel like it changes a bit because we're on boats every time we're out there. It's a bit harder to prep. You kind of have to do it on land, and you're going out there at least an hour before you compete. So, that's a bit tricky. At other places, I'll make sure I do a good warm-up, pay attention to the waves, and talk to my coach. I always have a snack and a little sip of Red Bull. Then, I say a quick prayer with my dad, wax my board, and head out there. 

TOGETHXR: I'd love some travel tips if you have any. What do you feel like you've figured out about travel? What's something that could help someone that's stressing out and packing last minute? 

EB: I always make sure to bring stuff that makes me feel like I’m at home. For me, that's good snacks. I have my alarm clock. I have my little stuffy. Being on the plane a lot, you get really dehydrated, so I always stay hydrated — like electrolytes and water. Also, good skincare because your skin can get really dry and cracked. I have been traveling with an eye mask, and it's been a game changer on planes— along with comfortable shoes. Thank goodness I have Nike because they got me covered. 

TOGETHXR: Surfing produces the most unreal photos and videos. Do you have a favorite photo or video of yourself?

EB: A couple of years ago, I was surfing Teahupo’o, and it was absolutely huge. You couldn't even paddle into the wave. You had to get towed in by a jet ski. It was probably about 30 ft. It's a very scary wave when it gets that big. You're surfing over an incredibly shallow reef, and I was trying not to think about that. A local towed me in, and we got one wave in at the beginning. I had fallen and got so pounded. I was asked if I wanted to go again. I wasn’t too sure, but I gave it a go. We waited for about 45 minutes, and he towed me into the most perfect barrel I've ever seen in my whole life. It was so big, it made me look like a little ant. That's probably my favorite wave. 

TOGETHXR: It is really interesting to acknowledge that there is an element of danger in what you guys do. How do you figure out how to pivot quickly from those moments of doubt or fear? 

EB: I really do my best not to let fear and doubt come into my head. I try to kick it in the butt as fast as I can and focus on the prep and the work I've done beforehand. I know how good of a surfer I am, and I believe in my ability. 

TOGETHXR: We saw a TikTok video where you did a goofy spin in a gym so that you can do an aerial. Do you ever have moments when you're doing a workout on land and you feel like it’s ridiculous and silly?

EB: I know the video you're talking about. He does so much off-access, spinning, and landing on unstable surfaces. When you're in the ocean, it's so unpredictable. I'm not the best spotter. I just hope that my balance is good enough and I'll land the trick. That's what he's working on when he's doing those things — spotting. We do a lot of work on the trampoline, too. I love going to the gym and working on the trampoline. It's probably one of my favorite parts of the workout, because we're almost done. We do strength work first, then a little agility, and then we go on the trampoline. I used to be a gymnast, so that's my favorite part. I also skate a lot. We have a skate park right next to our house, so when the waves aren't too good, I can just practice rotations or turns to work on my fundamentals when I'm out of the water.  You may not be guaranteed a perfect air section or a great turn wave. You have to search for it, and sometimes you don't get it. Those are the little things that I do on land. We do a lot of breath-hold training in the pool with weights, and we run around underwater to get comfortable holding our breath. That helps in bigger waves. 

TOGETHXR: The fact that you're doing this all at just 19 years old is impressive. Knowing that you're getting ready to enter your twenties, is there something that you’re looking forward to? 

EB: I really can't wait for the next Olympics. I'm so excited for LA. We actually have a spot on tour, Lower Trestles. I feel super confident at that wave, and I haven't competed in the Olympics yet, so that's something I really have my sights on. I also want to get my driver's license. I don't have that yet. I'm really scared of driving. 

TOGETHXR: You just told me that you surf waves that are so big that a jet ski has to tow you in. I think you're gonna be okay in a car. 

EB: I don't know. I swear on land I'm pretty cautious. At our place, we have to drive around in a golf cart, and the girls I'm with wanted me to try. I was going so slow, so they called me grandma. 

TOGETHXR: Who's the fastest golf cart driver? 

EB: Probably my dad. He's really scary. We had to go up and down all these crazy roads, and it's been raining a lot, so it's pretty muddy, and we've had some off-roading on the golf cart. I’m in the back just trying to hold on.

TOGETHXR: You guys are in the craziest elements. With how much your hair is in the water, what do you do to keep it from just falling off? 

EB: This has been a work in progress. When I was younger, my hair was so crispy. You could brush it and just watch it break. I've had my little routine down for a while. I always try to get it wet before I get in the water and put in a little leave-in conditioner to protect it from the saltwater as much as I can. When we're out there for hours and hours, it doesn't even matter. In my head, it's working. I just try to get fresh water on it and more leave-in conditioner until I can take a shower. Then I use lots of hydrating products and good oils, and I go to my hairdresser so often just to get my ends cleaned up because they definitely get crispy. I have such light hair. I've never dyed my hair. This is all natural from the sun. 

RAPID FIRE

Shout out another woman in sports that you think is killing the game right now: Caitlin Clark is absolutely killing her game. She is so impressive to watch. I don't know how she does it. It's so amazing. My dad is super into basketball, and he used to play, so he's obsessed too. We love watching her together. 

Your biggest pet peeve: My biggest pet peeve is slow walkers. My dad is super tall, and I normally walk with him, so I'm a pretty fast walker. 

Your number one recommendation right now: I feel like I've been really falling into Korean skincare. We're in the sun for four to six hours every day, so I’m trying to stay youthful and hydrated. Also, the pink Red Bull because pink is my favorite color and it's so cute. 

A snack that we absolutely have to have on deck if Erin is coming over: My favorite is probably those Perfect Bars. I'm obsessed with anything peanut butter flavored, and any little fruit snack is so yummy. That's always in my bag. 

One piece of advice that you would give to other women in sport: Always keep it fun, because if you're going to have a long career, there will be ups and downs. So, make sure you're doing it for the love of your sport — that’s the most important thing.