Ellie Brooks stretching to raise money to chase dream

WITH a goal of surfing against the likes of Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons on the World Surfing League Championship Tour, 19-year-old Palm Beach surfer Ellie Brooks needs every cent she can find.

Mia Gilbert, 12 and surfer Ellie Brooks who is looking to raise money to help her compete on the world championship qualifying series. Photo: David Clark

IT costs about $40,000 a year travelling to the ends of the earth to earn a spot on surfing’s “dream tour”.

So with a goal of surfing against the likes of Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons on the World Surfing League Championship Tour, 19-year-old Palm Beach surfer Ellie Brooks needs every cent she can find.

That’s why Ellie is holding a fundraising day tomorrow for girls older than 10 who want to live a day in her shoes.

Pro surfer Ellie Brooks with surfer girls Charlie Phillips, Mia Gilbert and Konatsu Ido at Currumbin Alley. Photo: David Clark

They will learn to surf and stretch out with yoga, before finishing off with a training session alongside Ellie.

“Sam Chilcott, my boss at the Currumbin Alley Surf School, thought it would be cool for girls to experience my day to day life,” said Ellie, who will travel to Mexico and El Salvador next week to compete.

“This will be my second full year on the world qualifying series.

“I’m seeded in the top 40 now but I want to finish in the top 10 this year.

The Griffith University student said she wanted to make the world tour in three years.

“I feel really bad because I wanted to support another charity but I need the money to chase my dream,” she said.

“Even if just 10 people turn up, it should be a nice day.”

Ellie’s morning Surf Camp runs from 8am to 1pm tomorrow at Wallace Nicoll Park in Currumbin, with a $100 entry fee.

For more information visit: www.currumbinalleysurfschool.com.au