By Canadian Press

Teenage surfing star granted Canadian citizenship, now sets her signs on Olympics

Jan 13, 2024 | 2:42 PM

Teenage surfing prodigy Erin Brooks has won her fight for Canadian citizenship, opening the door for her to compete for Canada at the Paris Olympics.

The 16-year-old Brooks was born in Texas and grew up in Hawaii but has Canadian ties through her American-born father Jeff, who is a dual American-Canadian citizen, and her grandfather who was born and raised in Montreal.

Brooks’ citizenship bid was initially turned down. But Immigration Minister Marc Miller has had a change of heart, it appears.

Surf Canada confirmed the government’s change of heart.

The last opportunity to qualify for the Olympics is at the ISA World Championships in Puerto Rico in February.

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Brooks is considered by many to challenge for a medal at the Olympics due to the heavy left-hand barrel conditions at Teahupo’o in Tahiti, where the Olympic surfing event is being held.

She won a silver medal at the ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador in June and gold at the ISA World Junior Championships in June 2022.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2024

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press