QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 8: Caroline Marks of USA wins the 2019 Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast after winning the final at Duranbah Beach on April 8, 2019 in Queensland, Australia.
Not only is American surfer Caroline Marks the youngest competitor to win the World Surf League tournament trophy at the age of just 17, but she is also the first woman to receive the same prize money as the men. The World Surf League made a commitment to equal pay this year. Both women and men winners will collect 100K. This is a first on the Champions Tour and huge news for the sport — and all sports.
And excited Marks spoke to the press after her big win in Australia, saying:
“I just have so much adrenaline; I’ve looked up to these girls my whole life and still do, they’re just my heroes,” she said. “It’s incredible, oh frick, I didn’t know it would happen this fast. I’m just so psyched.”
The youngster has a fascinating back story, swapping horses for a surfboard at an early age.