Raised on the sandy shores of Florida, in a family where surfing was as natural as breathing, Caroline Marks found her calling in the waves.
In the world of competitive surfing, Caroline emerged as a prodigy, a young gun charging into the World Surf League’s arena as its youngest contender. Her approach to surfing is a blend of raw power and poetic grace, a style that speaks volumes of her fearless heart.
Beyond the accolades, she’s the quintessential surfer’s surfer, with a demeanor as sunny as her home state. Her infectious enthusiasm and genuine stoke for the sport resonate through the surfing community, making waves far beyond the competitive sphere.
| Place of Birth | Boca Raton, Florida |
| Hometown | Melbourne Beach, Florida |
| Year of Birth | Feb 14, 2002 |
| Weight | 127 lbs (58 kg) |
| Height | 5 ft, 5 in (165cm) |
| Stance | Goofy |
| First Season | 2013 Women’s JUN |
Table of Contents
Milestones
- #2 Women’s CT 2021
- 8 Heat wins
- 12.09 Avg. heat score
- 4.31 Avg. wave score
Event Wins
Women’s Championship Tour
| 2021 | Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic presented by Corona – 1st place 10,000 points |
| 2019 | Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast – 1st place 10,000 points MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal – 1st place 10,000 points |
Women’s Qualifying Series
| 2019 | Florida Pro – 1st place 3,000 points |
| 2018 | Ron Jon Florida Pro – 1st place 6,000 points Los Cabos Open of Surf – 1st place 6,000 points |
Women’s Junior Tour
| 2016 | Vans US Open of Surfing (W JUN) – 1st place 1,000 points |
| 2015 | Junior Women’s Vans US Open of Surfing – 1st place 1,000 points |
Specialty Events
| 2020 | Nissan Super Girl Pro – 1st place |
Backstory
- Caroline Marks grew up in a house with a big backyard with a motorbike-track, halfpipe, and a surf break across the street.She discovered her love of sports, first on horseback through barrel racing. She began surfing when she was 8.
- In 2018, her first year on tour, she had three third-place finishes in 10 events, was named rookie of the year and finished the season ranked seventh in the world.
- In April 2019, at the first event of the WSL Championship tour, Marks defeated seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore at the Australian’s home break of Duranbah, New South Wales in the quarter-finals of the Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast. She then continued through the semi-finals beating Malia Manuel from Kauai. In the finals, she defeated three-time world champion Carissa Moore from Oahu, to claim her first WSL event title (beginning the 2019 season as the world’s top-ranked female surfer).
- She is the first surfer to receive Team USA’s Best of April Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of prospective Team USA Olympic athletes. “Caroline is one of those rare athletes that from when she was 12 years old it was obvious that she was going to be world champion,” said USA Surfing head coach Chris Stone. “Not if, but when. To see what she’s doing at 17 years old must be frightening to all her competitors. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.”
- In 2019, she finished second on the WSL Championship tour to Carissa Moore. By finishing second, Marks earned a spot on the team for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, along with Moore.
Sponsors
Caroline Marks is sponsored by Roxy, Red Bull, Gromsocial.com, Chemistry Surfboards, Ron Jon, FCS, Tonic.
Surfboards
Caroline Marks rides Mayhem Surfboards particularly 5’6 18 1/8 2.2 Magic board.
News, Articles and Interviews
- Grom Social Ambassador Caroline Marks Makes History as First Woman Surfer Headed to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics
- How 18-Year-Old Caroline Marks Surged to Surfing’s Pinnacle
- A False Positive and 2-Week Quarantine: Surfer Caroline Marks’s “Crazy Ride” to Australia
Quotes by Caroline Marks
A huge goal of mine as a surfer, especially as a female surfer, is to really push the sport. To be the girl that pushed the progression of women’s surfing. I want to be the next generation that is pushing the sport and leading the way, surfing bigger waves, getting barrelled more, and doing airs.
Caroline Marks
There are so many things that are out of your control when you surf and I think you have to focus on the things you can control.
Caroline Marks
Other Activities and Interests
1. Caroline prays every single day without exception.
2. Caroline loves fishing and snowboarding.
Interesting Facts about Caroline Marks
1. Caroline’s favorite surfers are Carissa Moore and Gabriel Medina.
2. Caroline’s greatest fear is drowning.
3. Caroline listens to “Sorry” by Justin Bieber before paddling out.
4. Caroline’s best surf video segment of all time is Kelly Slate in Black & White.
5. Caroline’s worst enemy is herself.
6. Caroline’s favorite actor is Adam Sandler.
7. Caroline is a chocolate lover.
8. Caroline’s favorite Taylor Swift song is “Shake it off”
9. Caroline’s favorite waves are Padang Padang, Lowers and Melbourne Beach
10. Caroline’s favorite manuever is backside blow tail
11. Caroline’s favorite Ron Jon product is Ron Jon Neon Fade burnout pant.