Caroline Marks, 21, who stands at 5′ 5″ is an American professional surfer and the 2023 WSL Women’s World Tour Champion. She is also the youngest surfer to qualify for the women’s Championship Tour. Now She is Qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024.
Family Life of Caroline Marks with five siblings
Caroline Marks was born on February 14, 2002, in Boca Raton, Florida. She is the third of six children born to parents Darren and Sarah Marks. Caroline’s siblings are Zach Marks, Luke Marks, Jack Marks, Dawson Marks, and Victoria Marks.
In 2014, Darren Marks decided to shift the family to San Clemente, California, a town known for its excellent surfing conditions. This move allowed Caroline to improve her skills in a more favorable environment.
When Caroline’s older brother Zach was just 12 years old, he created Grom Social, a social media platform designed specifically for kids. Caroline contributed to the platform by creating images and characters, and she continues to actively share updates about her surfing adventures and accomplishments on the site.
Caroline Marks Siblings
Luke Marks
Luke Marks, aged 20, is the eldest son of Darren and Sarah Marks and the older brother of professional surfer Caroline Marks. He is known as “Luke the Surfer”.
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In his younger years, Luke achieved national recognition as a surfer, traveling the globe to compete in the (WSL) World Qualifying Series (WQS). He is currently a college student, demonstrating his commitment to academic achievement and personal growth. Alongside his studies, he has a passion for fly fishing, a sport that requires patience, precision, and a deep appreciation for nature.
Zach Marks
Zach Marks, at the age of 18, is the second son of Darren and Sarah Marks, and the younger brother of professional surfer Caroline Marks.
From an early age, Zach has been surfing, following in the footsteps of his older brother Luke, and sister Caroline. He has also found joy in fishing, a pastime that allows him to commune with nature and develop patience and focus.
He has a passion for motocross, a high-adrenaline sport that requires skill, courage, and a willingness to push boundaries. However, Zach’s interests are not limited to the physical realm. By the time he was just 10 years old, he had developed a strong fascination with computers, technology, and the world of business.
He finds joy in bringing his ideas to life, a quality that has undoubtedly contributed to his success as a young entrepreneur. He had also created Grom Social, a social media platform designed specifically for kids.
Jack Marks
At the age of 14, Jack Marks, also known as “Jack the Gamer,” is the third son of Darren and Sarah Marks and the younger brother of professional surfer Caroline Marks. Despite his youth, Jack has already demonstrated a remarkable range of talents and interests that belie his age.
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As a seventh-grader, Jack is a dedicated student who genuinely loves the new information and skills of knowledge. His passion for learning extends beyond the classroom, as he actively competes in the PGA Junior Tour, showcasing his skill and competitive spirit in the world of golf.
Jack is a part of the Grom Social community. He actively seeks out cool new games and content to share with other members, and among young people, he shares his passion for gaming and technology.
Dawson Marks
Dawson Marks who is 11 years old has earned the name “Daredevil Dawson” within the Marks family. As the fourth son of Darren and Sarah Marks and the younger brother of professional surfer Caroline Marks, following the footsteps of his older siblings.
This past summer, he took to the waves and participated in his first surfing competition.
Victoria Marks
At just 7 years old, Victoria Marks is the youngest member of the Marks family and the only daughter of Darren and Sarah Marks. Despite her age, Victoria has already captured the hearts of those around her with her sweet personality and natural charm.
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This year, Victoria entered first grade. Alongside her studies, she has also begun to explore her artistic and athletic interests, enrolling in gymnastics and ballet classes. She is also always helping out Mom, talking about Grom Social.
Caroline Marks secures Paris 2024 spot for USA with 2023 WSL Finals
In a finale of the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, 21-year-old American surfer Caroline Marks made her name in the history books by claiming the women’s title on Saturday, September 9th at the series Finals in Lower Trestles, California.
The final match of Marks went up against Hawaii’s Carissa Moore, the defending champion and the gold medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Marks showcased her skill and determination, appearing victorious over her opponent.
With this victory, Marks secured the final Olympic women’s quota spot available for the United States through the WSL Championship Tour.
Joining Marks in the Olympic qualification was Filipe Toledo, who secured the men’s World Surf League’s (WSL) 2023 Championship title and, consequently, a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Caroline Marks Surfing Career So far
Caroline Marks first surfed when she was just 3 years old. But later her journey began at the tender age of eight when she started competing in surfing events. She also competed in barrel racing on horseback before turning to surfing.
At the age of 11, Marks won the Under-12 Surfing America Prime title – the top amateur championship in the United States and she never looked back.
Since then, Marks has collected an array of 17 titles. Among her many wins include the 2016 ISA Under-16 Championship, the 2015 and 2016 Vans U.S. Open Pro Junior Championships, and consecutive National Scholastic Surfing Association titles in 2014-2015.
At just 13 years of age, the girl from Melbourne Beach, Florida, competed in the Swatch Pro at Lower Trestles as a wildcard entry, becoming the youngest competitor in the history of the World Surf League’s (WSL) Championship Tour.
By the time she reached the age of 15, Marks had already collected an array of titles and wins at the youth levels.
Caroline Professional Career and World Championship
In 2017, Caroline Marks began on her journey to the pinnacle of professional surfing when she joined the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series. Despite finishing seventh in the series, which would only qualify the top six surfers for the World Championship Tour.
When a pair of surfers ahead of her in the rankings double-qualified, it opened the door for Marks to become the lone rookie and the youngest surfer on the 2018 World Championship Tour roster.
With three third-place finishes across 10 events. Marked earned the title of Rookie of the Year. Marks was honored as Team USA‘s Female Athlete of the Month for April. Her remarkable performance not only captured the attention of the surfing world but also inspired a new generation of young athletes.
“It’s been the best year of my life,” “I’ve had so much fun, with tons of good waves and great experiences, so I’m really stoked. I didn’t expect to make the tour so young. When I did, I changed my goals a little to just try and surf my best, improve and be a sponge.”
Marks said
Youngest surfer to qualify for the women’s Championship Tour
At the season-opening Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast in Australia in 2019, she defeated seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore in the quarterfinal and three-time world champion Carissa Moore in the final to claim her first-ever Women’s Championship Tour win. This victory was a historic moment, as she became the first woman to earn the same prize money as the men’s winner – $100,000 – in the first season of equal pay for men and women in professional surfing.
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The following year, Marks was selected to represent Team USA at surfing’s historic Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020. However, just as the 2020 Tour was about to begin, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing the cancellation of the season. When the tour resumed in 2021, Marks continued to impress, ultimately finishing fourth at the Olympic Games.
At just 21 years of age, Caroline Marks reached the peak of her career, claiming her first-ever World Title at Trestles, California. She established her status as an American professional surfer, a 2023 WSL Women’s World Tour Champion, a multiple national champion, and the youngest female to compete in a World Surf League event. Remarkably, she also holds the distinction of being the youngest surfer to qualify for the women’s Championship Tour.
