Fifteen-year-old surfer Erin Brooks is helping to push Team Canada to new levels, having only been working on the surface for about six years.

Erin Brooks was born and raised in Texas until the age of nine, and only started surfing after her parents retired and the family moved to Hawaii. There, she quickly discovered her passion for surfing, and now after about six years, she trains in the water for four to six hours daily.

Brooks said, during an interview with CTV, "What I love most about surfing is being in the ocean every day and traveling around the world with my family."

Brooks quickly rose through the ranks of women's surfing and routinely outperforms Olympians and competitors twice her age. Last year, she won the gold medal at the International Surfing Association's World Junior Championship, and earlier this year she took second place at the World Surfing Games in El Salvador, behind 27-year-old Brazilian Tatiana Weston-Webb.

Brooks added, "A lot of people say I am a really fast surfer, which is a great compliment. I just love pushing this sport and I am proud to represent Canada."

This fall, Brooks will compete with Team Canada at the Pan American Games and try to qualify for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Surfing became an Olympic sport in 2021.

Some surfing followers say Brooks has the talent to top the podium at the 2024 Olympics, but her nationality may delay this dream. Brooks applied for Canadian citizenship shortly before the pandemic began, but after nearly four years, her application is still pending. Brooks was born in the United States and currently holds American citizenship, but her father is a dual Canadian-American citizen with family still living in Canada. Brooks said, "I never really felt as connected as in Hawaii or America, and everyone in Canada is so nice. I am happy to represent a country of kind people."

David Shoemaker, CEO and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee, said, "Over the past several years, Erin has proudly represented Canada, broken barriers, and won competitions, helped develop the sport in Canada, contributed to promoting Canada as a surfing destination, and she inspires young Canadian girls to try the sport through her social media and participation in surfing camps for young girls."

Domitch added, "He believes Brooks is a true surfing prodigy and a pioneer in Canada. Her talent will continue making waves in the coming years. She is capable of learning and quickly adapting in high-pressure situations where someone else might break down under pressure."

Brooks hopes her journey and success in the water will inspire other young Canadian surfers to take up the sport. She said, "It’s really amazing to see all women pushing this sport, and I’m happy to be part of the youth generation."