Master and Apprentice: Bethany Hamilton and Erin Brooks
When Erin Brooks was nine and at the very beginning of her surfing journey, she met Bethany Hamilton. Not long after, Bethany took Erin under her wing. Fast-forward four years, and the two reunited in Waco, Texas, where they spent three days lighting up the BSR Surf Resort with some technical tube-riding, powerful carves and effortless aerials from dawn to dusk.
Bethany, 30, and Erin, 13, are at the forefront of the new wave of female surfing progression — whether it’s charging waves of consequence or stomping no-grab air-reverses. And while the BSR pool doesn’t really offer the former, its ultra-consistent ramps provided plenty of the latter. In fact, many would say that BSR is the ultimate training ground for ramping up one’s air game.
“It’s almost like surfing in a skate park!” said Erin. “I love doing airs because they are so challenging. There are so many that I want to learn, but the one I want to learn the most right now is a Kerrupt Flip.”
All these years later, Bethany and Erin’s big sister/little sister bond remains intact. Throughout their time in Waco, the experienced master offered a wealth of advice to her eager apprentice — from competitive adversity and the QS grind to constant travel and overcoming life’s hurdles — which Erin soaked up like a sponge.
“Bethany has taught me to never give up, no matter what I’m facing in life,” Erin finished. “She also shows kindness to everyone she meets, and I try to do the same. Bethany never lets fear or excuses get in the way of accomplishing her goals.”
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