Erin Brooks, a 19‑year‑old surfer who grew up in Texas, delivered a standout performance at the Fiji Pro on Wednesday, earning a perfect 10‑point score in her first‑round heat. The event, held at the famed Cloudbreak reef, marked the eighth stop on the World Surf League tour and featured solid surf conditions that tested the world’s best riders.
Perfect ride on a massive wave
Brooks entered the heat on one of the day’s biggest waves, carving deep into a long, powerful tube that ran down the reef. She matched the wave’s speed, weaving through multiple sections of the barrel before emerging into the channel. “That was definitely the best heat of my life,” Brooks said after the ride, recalling the moment she feared being caught by the foamball but ultimately gliding through unscathed.
Dominant heat total
Combined with an earlier eight‑point ride, Brooks finished with an 18‑out‑of‑20 two‑wave total, the highest heat score of the day. She comfortably out‑scored Australia’s Sophie McCulloch, who managed a total of 3.06. The strong showing follows Brooks’ recent victory at the Tahiti Pro, where she also impressed judges and fans alike.
Other notable performances
In the women’s division, Tahiti native Vahine Fierro leveraged her experience on South Pacific reef breaks to post two solid tubes for a 14.17 total, beating California’s Alyssa Spencer. Portuguese rookie Francisca Veselko secured a tense win over two‑time world champion Tyler Wright of Australia.
On the men’s side, Brazil’s Yago Dora continued the form that earned him last year’s world title at the same venue, posting an 8.67 ride followed by a 6.73 for a second‑round victory over fellow Brazilian Mateus Herdy. Californian Cole Houshmand also advanced, defeating former world number two Ethan Ewing of Australia with a 15.17 two‑wave total.
What this means for Brooks
Brooks’ perfect 10 not only underscores her talent but also positions her as a favorite to claim the Fiji Pro title. Having won the event as a 17‑year‑old wildcard in 2024, she now returns with confidence and experience, aiming to add another championship to her growing résumé.
Fans and fellow competitors alike will be watching closely as the tour progresses, with the next events set to test surfers on a variety of challenging breaks across the Pacific.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
