Caroline Marks

American professional surfer who became the youngest surfer to qualify for the World Surf League Championship Tour at age 15 and Olympic bronze medalist.

Born in Melbourne, Florida, on August 14, 2002, Caroline Marks began surfing at age eight and quickly demonstrated exceptional natural ability. Raised in a surfing family, she moved to San Clemente, California, as a teenager to pursue competitive opportunities. Her junior career was marked by rapid progression through amateur ranks, where she developed the technical foundation and competitive mindset that would define her professional success. Marks turned professional in 2017 at age 15, becoming one of the youngest surfers to qualify for the World Surf League Championship Tour. Her breakthrough came in 2018 when she won her first CT event at the Surf Ranch Pro, establishing herself as a formidable competitor capable of adapting to any wave conditions. She consistently finished in the top five of world rankings throughout her early professional years, earning recognition for her powerful surfing style and strategic approach to competition. The pinnacle of Marks' career arrived in 2024 when she captured both Olympic gold at the Paris Games and the WSL Women's World Championship title. Her Olympic victory marked a historic achievement for American women's surfing, while her WSL championship demonstrated sustained excellence across an entire competitive season. These dual accomplishments placed her among an elite group of surfers to achieve success at both the sport's premier professional circuit and its Olympic debut. Marks' impact on women's surfing extends beyond individual accolades. Her technical proficiency across diverse wave conditions, from small surf to powerful reef breaks, has elevated performance standards in women's professional surfing. Her success as a young American athlete has inspired a new generation of female surfers and contributed to increased visibility for women's competitive surfing. Her achievements represent a significant milestone in the evolution of women's professional surfing, demonstrating the sport's growing depth of talent and competitive intensity. Marks carried her strong 2025 form all the way to the winner-takes-all title match at the WSL Finals in Fiji, where she was beaten by Molly Picklum across three title-deciding matchups at Cloudbreak.

Powerful and progressive surfing with strong aerial maneuvers

Caroline Marks has redefined what's possible for young surfers on the world stage, inspiring a new generation of female athletes in the sport.

• Olympic Bronze Medal (2024)
• WSL Championship Tour Rookie of the Year (2018)