Surfing Superstar Caroline Marks Returns to Brevard for Fan Meet-and-Greet at Ron Jon on Nov. 15

Space Coast Sports Hall of Famer and Olympic champion reconnects with hometown roots

MEET & GREET SET SATURDAY, NOV. 15 AT RON JOHN SURF SHOP

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA — On Saturday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m., the familiar scent of salt air and sunscreen will mingle with excitement as one of the Space Coast’s most celebrated athletes, Olympic gold medalist Caroline Marks, returns home to greet fans at Ron Jon Surf Shop.

At just 23, Marks has already carved her name into surfing history — from the mellow breaks of Melbourne Beach to the thunderous barrels of Teahupoʻo, Tahiti.

This weekend, she’s coming back to where it all began.

The meet-and-greet at Ron Jon will give fans the chance to meet the world champion, snag a free poster, and enter a special prize giveaway. The line will begin forming at noon, and event organizers anticipate a big turnout of locals, visitors, and young surfers eager to meet their hometown hero.

A 2016 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

Caroline Marks’ story begins in Boca Raton, where she was born on February 14, 2002, before her family settled in Melbourne Beach.

The youngest of six siblings, she learned to surf alongside her brothers near the family’s dock, and it quickly became clear she had a special connection with the ocean.

By age 11, she was dominating amateur competitions across the country. At just 15, she became the youngest surfer ever to qualify for the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, earning the 2018 Rookie of the Year title and finishing seventh overall in her debut season.

Over the next several years, Marks cemented her place among the sport’s elite — claiming her first WSL event win in 2019, finishing as the world runner-up twice, and ultimately securing the 2023 Women’s World Surf League Championship.

Then came the crowning achievement: an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games, where the surfing competition took place at Teahupoʻo, Tahiti. Her powerful backhand and fearless approach to the reef break earned her a dominant victory, solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest young surfers in the world.

WATCH: Long before she reached global stardom, the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Committee recognized her extraordinary promise. In 2016, at just 14 years old, she was inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame, the youngest honoree in its history. (2016 video)

Long before she reached global stardom, the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Committee recognized her extraordinary promise. In 2016, at just 14 years old, she was inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame, the youngest honoree in its history.

The Space Coast Hall of Fame, which celebrates athletes and coaches who have made significant contributions to Brevard County sports, praised Marks for “shattering records and redefining what’s possible for young women in surfing.”

At the induction ceremony at the Cocoa Beach Country Club, Marks shared the stage with local legends from baseball, football, basketball, and motorsports. She was recognized not only for her competitive achievements but also for her sportsmanship and role in inspiring a new generation of female surfers.

“Caroline exemplifies the energy, confidence, and determination that define the Space Coast,” said Space Coast Daily President and Publisher Tom Palermo at the time. “She’s a world-class talent who never forgot where she came from.”

Beyond her accomplishments, Caroline Marks has become a role model for young athletes — especially girls — showing that competitive fire and humility can coexist.

“I never forget where I came from,” Marks said after winning Olympic gold. “The waves here taught me everything — balance, patience, and to never stop having fun.”

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