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Southern Livingspoke with Caroline Marks just before she headed to Paris to compete.
Small TownBig Dreams
Marks grew up in the tiny east coast town ofMelbourne Beach, Florida.
She is one of six siblings in a family that loved being outdoors and active.
Credit:Jerome Brouilett-Pool/Getty Images
It was just like the fun house, recalled Marks.
While her siblings tackled the bike track, Marks took up horse barrel racing.
But when her older brothers started riding waves instead of bikes, Marks decided to tag along.
Credit:Ed Sloane / Contributor/Getty Images
Soon, surfing became part of their daily routine.
We’d just run across the street and surf after school, she said.
It was a really small town.
Like, I’d see my science teacher in the water or my history teacher.
And everyone kind of knew everyone.
But what started as a sibling pastime soon morphed into a deep passion.
I just fell in love with it, she said.
The moment I got into surfing, it just felt so right.
It felt like I was put on this earth to do that.
In 2014, the Marks family made a cross country move toSan Clemente, California.
The west coast exposed her to bigger waves and bigger dreams.
I feel like it’s really elevated my surfing and really helped a lot, the goofy-footed surfer said.
I think theres just a lot more variety and a lot more opportunity out here.
I knew that was always my goal.
But I was like, Am I ready yet?
What followed was a whirlwind adventure of competing in surf contests all over the world.
I found myself not really enjoying surfing as much.
I just felt off, you know, she said.
I put a lot of pressure on myself, and I want to do good in anything I do.
I want to be the best I can be.
And I think sometimes it’s only natural that you get a little burnt out.
She made the difficult decision to step away from the tour and focus on getting herself back on track.
Those are the moments that can make or break you.
And I feel like I just came out on the other side stronger.
An Epic Return
Stronger is an understatement.
During the 2023 WSL Championship Tour, Marks placedwithin the top three spotsin five different competitions.
Then, last September, came a moment Marks will never forget.
It was theWSL Rip Curl Finalsat San Clementes Lower Trestles the same west coast waves she grew up on.
Then the announcement came.Its official!
They crowned her head with flowers, sprayed her with champagne and lifted her up onto their shoulders.
Everything about it was just like a dream scenario, she said.
I think what makes our journey extra special is sharing it with people you love.
To be able to share that with them is so special and so amazing.
Teahupoo is a very unique wave.
Surfing and Marks made their Olympic debut at the 2020 games inTokyo.
She finished fourth that year, but the two-time Olympian said she feels like these games will be different.
I feel like I’m in such a different place now than I was the last Olympics.
I grew up in a big family and I thrive off having them there and feeling that support.
So, I’m really thankful that they can be there and just experience that with me.
Update:Caroline Marks took Gold in Women’s Shortboard.
