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Caroline Marks: Making History at 16
Ali Shrode
When Caroline Marks qualified for the 2018 Championship Tour, she also became the youngest rookie in WSL history, and the only brand-new women's rookie on the roster. Since arriving on the professional scene just over three years ago, she has won the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing Pro Junior twice, as well as competed at the the elite level as a wildcard, at the 2015 Swatch Women's Pro at Trestles. (According to her website, Marks was the youngest CT wildcard in history.) She went from amateur to threat practically in a matter of minutes -- and it doesn't look like she'll be slowing down.
Marks grew up in Melbourne Beach, Florida, where she learned how to surf at age eight with her brothers. The family eventually made the move to California, and the prodigy has been splitting time between her hometown and the grom-infested shores of San Clemente ever since.
"I actually think Florida is a really good place to grow up," she told the WSL. "Everyone is super down-to-earth. There's not much to do, so you really appreciate what you have. When I lived there, we were able to surf every single day. If you're not winning you're learning, and being this young, you know…all there is to do is learn."
Marks grew up with four brothers and one younger sister. Her older brother, Zach, created Grom Social -- a website for kids to safely share content and connect with each other -- on which which Caroline also works. "I'm extremely excited to watch her in the water," said Zach. "Watch her surf the best waves in the world against the best girls in the world -- that's what makes her happy."
Today is Caroline's 16th birthday, and it's safe to say that she's accomplished more already than some have in a lifetime. Happy Birthday!
Catch Caroline's debut as a Championship Tour rookie when the Roxy Pro Gold Coast kicks off March 11. The contest runs alongside the Quiksilver Pro, until March 22, and both will stream live on the WSL and Facebook.
Caroline Marks
Fresh off two weeks in Portugal calling the event, part-time Lineup co-host and WSL commentator Mitchell Salazar joins Dave to break down
The 2019 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal champ Caroline Marks made her move to another pivotal Final appearance after besting perennial World
A clash of CT icons, Caroline Marks and Johanne Defay, unraveled with Marks besting the 2024 event champ and soon-to-be mother Defay. This
The 2023 WSL Champ Caroline Marks returned to the Supertubos arena in great form with a 13.24 heat total over Isabella Nichols.
Caroline Marks shows off this display of power with a combination of backhand hacks scoring a 8.67.
Roxy Pro Gold Coast
Watch how the famed right-point Superbank is created and maintained at Snapper Rocks.
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