WATCH: Melbourne Beach Native Caroline Marks Advances to Round of 16 at Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro in Australia

By Space Coast Daily // May 1, 2021

SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAMER

WATCH LIVE: Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro in Australia

WESTERN AUSTRALIA – Melbourne Beach native Caroline Marks advanced to the Round of 16 on Sunday (local time) after registering a 11.33 in the seeding round.

Marks, 19, will compete in the Round of 16, Heat 1, on Monday pending weather conditions.

The Melbourne Beach resident and Space Coast Sports Hall of Famer Caroline Marks is coming off a big win two weeks ago at the World Surf League’s Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic in Australia

Marks then defeated Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb in the finals 12.57-11.34 with her two best wave scores registering at 7.27 on the third wave and a 5.30 on her seventh wave.

The win gave Caroline Marks her third Championship Tour victory in her young career.

“This is so special. I’m just so happy about competing and not almost getting here, which was a bit interesting. I’m just so grateful to be here and the crowd has been amazing. Im so stoked and congrats to everyone else,” said Marks.

Before the event took place, Marks reference about not making the event was about her initial false positive COVID-19 test she took prior to traveling to Australia for the event. When it was initially announced she tested positive for COVID-19, the news sent shock waves through the surfing community as it would have prevented one of the super stars in the sports from competing at the event while she quarantined at home. But after her initial first test, she tested three times again and the results returned with negative result, clearing her for travel to Australia.

The Surfing phenom has ascended to professional surfing’s next title contender in just a few short years, a span highlighted in Red Bull Media House’s latest documentary release, “That’s Caroline,” that released on April 14 on Red Bull TV.

The 21-minute film chronicles the Red Bull athlete’s growth from a youth of barrel racing and backyard fun in Florida through competitive moments with her brothers that spurred Marks to become one of the best surfers on the planet.

The release of “That’s Caroline” fell on April 14, coinciding with the 100 days mark from the start of competitions in Tokyo this summer, where Marks will represent America as surfing participates for the first time.

Marks initially qualified in December 2019 by finishing 2nd in the World Surf League standings as one of the top two Americans, a feat chronicled in the film.

“It was so fun to relive some of my most intense waves and proud winning moments in the film, “ said Marks, who will be surfing alongside the world’s top athletes this summer.

“Never did I think I’d have a film crew following me around, sharing my life’s story. I hope after seeing the film my fans will be cheering me on even more as I compete for gold. It’s all a dream come true.”