Hillard Grossman, Florida Today Published 1:15 p.m. ET April 8, 2019 | Updated 3:55 p.m. ET April 8, 2019
Melbourne Beach’s Caroline Marks win $100,000 in surf contest in Australia for first major title Courtesy of World Surf League, Florida Today
Step aside Mr. Slater. Caroline Marks coming through.
The fearless 17-year-old Melbourne Beach native who grew up on the small waves in Brevard County — just like 11-time world champion Kelly Slater of Cocoa Beach — is now the No. 1-ranked women’s surfer in the world
Late Sunday night, surfing fans across America tuned in to watch Marks win the World Surf League’s season-opening Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast event in Queensland, Australia, claiming the $100,000 prize.
It was the first major surfing event to award equal prize money to female and male competitors.
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10 of 10“I’m really emotional right now,” Marks said. “I can’t believe it. I’m speechless. It’s incredible to be a part of this sport … so amazing to be a part of women’s surfing.”
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The youngest, at 15, to ever qualify for a major surfing tour, Marks had stunned the surfing world a year ago by finishing seventh in the final world rankings.
This year’s final tour rankings will go a long way to determining spots on the rosters for the Tokyo Games in 2020, when surfing will make its Olympic debut.
It was Marks’ fourth career win, coming on the heels of her second straight Florida Pro title at Sebastian Inlet, just a few miles from where she grew up. She also has won in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Melbourne Beach’s Caroline Marks, together with Chauncey Robinson and Stevie Pittman, anticipates a lot of traveling in 2019 on the world surf tours. Hillard Grossman, inactive
Marks, who defeated her “hero,” Carissa Moore of Hawaii, 13.83-11.67 in the final, had earlier defeated seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore of Australia in the quarterfinals.
“I was actually laughing because the first time I came to this event I was in the trials and I just lost in the first heat every single time, so to now win the event is amazing,” said Marks, who was in Cocoa Beach late last year to get a glimpse of her sand sculpture in front of the famed Ron Jon Surf Shop.
Moore had high praise for Marks, calling her a “really amazing surfer.”
“This has been the best event and best week of my life,” Marks said. “There’s still a lot of work to do for the rest of the year, but I’m definitely going to enjoy this moment.”
Marks’ family now splits their time between New Smyrna Beach and San Juan Capistrano, California.
Marks’ former surfing coach on the Space Coast, C.T. Taylor, called it “an incredible performance.”
“I told her one time that by 16 or 17 she could qualify for sure, and that happened, and to just keep doing what she’s doing,” said Taylor, a Satellite Beach native who coached Marks as young as 10 and competed on the World Qualifying Series for 12 years.
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“She has natural ability, but at that level you also need family support and the right mindset, which she has. I mean, you could be a really great surfer and have a bad attitude and that won’t get you far. It’s not just one thing that makes an athlete great.”
Part of Marks’ family was on hand in Australia, including dad, Darren, and brothers Luke and Jack.
Satellite Beach’s C.J. Hobgood, the 2011 men’s world champion, called Marks’ effort “so rad. I’m so proud of her. She’s amazing and has an amazing family.”
“I’m really excited to get to the next event and hopefully get on a roll,” said Marks, who will be heading to the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event in Australia, April 17-27.
Meanwhile, Slater, considered “the greatest surfer in history,” got off to a rough start in what could be his final full season on the men’s tour, which he last won in 2011.
Now, in his 27th season, at age 47, he lost out in two straight heats during the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, won by Brazil’s Italo Ferreira at the same venue.
Slater out early: Wipeout for Kelly Slater at season opener in Australia
Now, the attention turns to Marks.
“I can’t wait to see where this result will take me this year,” she said.
Contact Grossman at 321-242-3676 or hgrossman@floridatoday.com
Sunday’s results
Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast Final
1 – Caroline Marks (USA) 13.83
2 – Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.67
Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast Semifinals
SF 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 12.67 d. Malia Manuel (HAW) 11.50
SF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.90 d. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.87
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Final
1 – Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.57
2 – Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.43
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Semifinals
SF 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.23 DEF. John John Florence (HAW) 8.96
SF 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.33 DEF. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.67
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