Caroline Marks: The World Surfing Champion chasing Olympic gold

The world of female surfing has evolved over the years into a major industry due to its great talents. Names like Carissa Moore and Stephanie Gilmore have dominated the scene for almost a decade. Now there is a new generation of young surfers causing mayham in the rankings!

Despite being only 21 years old, Caroline Marks is ranked number 1 right in front of Carissa Moore, one of her childhood idols. The Florida surfer has been an absolute sensation in 2023!

At the age of 19, she was ranked number 6, but with her unique style and aggressive maneuvering, she quickly made herself a spot in the top 3.

Marks dominated the 2023 World Title at Lower Trestles with her fierce backside style, snapping aggressive turns left and right.

Her youthful vigor outmatched Gilmore and Moore, becoming the second female surfer to alter the World Tour Tittle hegemony between the two in 15 years!

Right before the heat started, Marks shared with Surfer Magazine: "I want to beat the best to the best," hinting she would have to knock out Moore or Gilmore if she were to enjoy a number 1 spot. (Eckhart, 2023)

If we look back at the last 45 years of female surfing, the average age for World Tour champions is 25 years old.

There have been many great talents that aspired to a world title like Brazilian Tati Weston-Webb and American Lakey Peterson, but just fell short.

Marks began surfing at the age of 10 over in Melbourn Beach, Florida. She was the third child of six and grew up in a very active household. She would regularly spend time surfing right across the street or enjoying the backyard half-pipe on flat days.

The young Florida surfer grew up surfing as a goofy foot, however, she quickly mastered her backside maneuvers. She is the first goofy foot to win the World Title since 2005 (Chelsea Georgeson)! Before that, Oam Burridge won it in 1990.

Marks would win her first title ever in 2019, earning her Rookie of the Year. In 2021 she would only win one title, and took some time off in 2022.

After some years on the road, surfing around the world, Marks chose to return to her home grounds after her World Title triumph. She enjoyed some time in California, visiting Kelly Slater's ranch and all, but her desire was to return to the crocodile-infested waters of Florida!

With the 2024 Paris Olympics right around the corner, Marks has only one objective in mind, and that is securing her first Olympic goal.

The USA Surf Team has some of the most talented surfers on the planet and is arguably one of the nations aspiring for gold. Seeing Carisa Moore and Caroline Marks on the same team sure is a daunting sight!

"At least for myself, growing up all I cared about was surfing, so I didn't really watch the Olympics too much. Now that I've been to the Olympics I understand why it's so incredible to make it, because of the feeling that get for representing your country. It's powerful," shared Marks during an interview for The Guardian.

The USA team is not the only team with aspirations to a golden podium. The Brazilian team alongside the Australian and South African teams will put up a solid fight. Tahiti will be a very exciting place where we will witness some grade A-high-power surfing.