Caroline Marks hopes for her second consecutive title in the World Surf League

Hillard Grossman
| Special to FLORIDA TODAY

Olympic gold medalist and Melbourne Beach native Caroline Marks will attempt to win her second consecutive World Surf League title in the coming days when the Lexus WSL postseason Final 5 takes place at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California.

The one-day stepladder format will take place from September 6th to 14th, the day when the best swell rate for surfing is expected.

Marks is seeded No. 2 after finishing behind Caitlin Simmers of Oceanside, Calif., in the regular season. That’s one spot higher than a year ago, when Marks won four straight half-hour heats from No. 3, including a sweep of Carissa Moore in a best-of-three title match.

“I’m really happy. Defending my title was a big goal of mine,” said Marks, who has a “home advantage” with her current residence in San Clemente.

“I feel like I’ve been on a real high after winning the gold medal at the Olympics, but I still feel like I still have work to do this year. There are two really big goals this year. I’ve achieved one and I still have one to go.”

Moore, who retired from the tour after winning five world titles, will not be taking part this time.

Brazilian Olympic silver medalist Tatiana Weston-Webb (No. 5) will face Australia’s Molly Picklum in the opening round, while the winner will face Costa Rica’s Brisa Hennessy (No. 3). Marks will face the survivor of that trio and would advance to the title match against Simmers with a win.

In the men’s competition, John John Florence of Hawaii is the top seed, followed by Griffin Colapinto, Jack Robinson, Ethan Ewing and Italo Ferreira.

Once the event date is announced, fans can follow the event live at http://www.worldsurfleague.com.

Slater on the comeback cover of “Surfer”

Eleven-time world champion from Cocoa Beach, Kelly Slater, graces the cover of Surfer magazine, which made its comeback in print in August after ceasing publication in 2020 after six decades of documenting surf culture with behind-the-scenes stories and stunning photography.

In the comeback edition, Slater reflects on his enormous successes and gives a possible glimpse into his future.

The iconic magazine, based in Carlsbad, California, once served as the canvas for several Brevard County photographers, including Satellite Beach’s Kevin Welsh, a senior photographer who worked there for more than 16 years.

“I was in a supermarket the other day and, wow, it was like old times,” Welsh said.

As if that wasn’t mind-blowing enough, the $17.95 price tag certainly is, he said with a laugh.

Other local photographers whose work appeared in these glossy pages of Surfer included Tom Dugan and Dick Meseroll, better known for their 1991-founded Eastern Surf Magazine.

Board shorts …

Melbourne’s Kylie Pulcini reached the finals of the WRV Outer Banks Pro in North Carolina last weekend, where she finished fourth. Indialantic’s Daniela McCart reached the quarterfinals in the women’s category, won Lanea Mons from Atlantic Beach. Owen Moss won the Men’s Pro title. … Palm City’s Zoe Benedetto won her first heat at the US Open of Surfing before being eliminated in the next round. She is ranked 18th with two events remaining in the Challenger Series, where the top five qualify for the World Surf League main draw. … Columbus Day weekend (October 12-14) will once again be the time frame for the Rich Salick NKF Surf Festival at the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier.

Slater on the comeback cover of “Surfer”

Board shorts …

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