Gold Coast Pro surfing women’s winner Erin Brooks, 16, scores rare 10 on way to title
A school-age teen surfing sensation has pulled off a rare feat on her way to winning the prestigious World Surf League’s Gold Coast Pro at Snapper Rocks. Unlocked story - see the photos
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A school-age teenager has announced her arrival on the world surfing stage with a stunning win at the Gold Coast Pro women’s contest.
US-born, Hawaii-raised sensation Erin Brooks, 16, set the finals day alight scoring a perfect 10 for an epic barrel in her semi-final before downing Brazil’s Luana Silva in the women’s final, both on Saturday.
It was the second 10 registered on the Challenger Series after Gold Coast-based Macy Callaghan nailed the first one in a perfect ride during a heat earlier in the week.
In her semi-final Silva had knocked out Australian favourite Sally Fitzgibbons who had been among the form surfers, after missing the cut on the main Championship Tour (CT) a week ago.
Brooks took charge of her semi-final against Australian and good mate Isabella Nicholls immediately, charging straight into the clean barrel in the first exchange of the heat, racking up the perfect 10-point ride.
Brooks said the waves were “pumping all day” and “I was just really excited to be out there with only one other girl”.
On her perfect 10-pointer, she said on the winner’s podium: “First, thank the Lord for letting me make that wave because I didn’t even think I was coming out. But I knew whoever got that wave in the semi was probaby going to win.
“It was the most perfect wave I have seen anytime I have been out at Snapper and I was lucky to get it.”
The Gold Coast Pro title was Brooks’ second event win on the Challenger Series, putting her atop the Challenger rankings as she bids to qualify for the elite CT.
“It feels really good to win. Good job to Luana (Silva). I thought she was going to get me in the end.
“I made so many mistakes in the heat, so I’m glad to get the win. My goals are to keep surfing well and I’m really excited about the next event at North Narrabeen. It’s a left and I really prefer to go left, plus I just spent a month training on my frontside in Fiji, so hopefully I can continue to do well.”
Silva dropped the first score of the final before Brooks posted an eight-point ride (out of a possible 10) on her opener. Silva kept busy, posting mid-range scores, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Brooks’ heat total of 13.90.
Silva added: “Not satisfied because I didn’t get that win, but just really proud of myself for how I was composed through the whole event and my performance. We still have five more events to go.”
The Challenger Series now heads to North Narrabeen in Sydney.
Next year, Snapper Rocks will be part of surfing’s glamour main world tour, the Championship Tour.
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