Pro Surfer Caroline Marks Sizzles in Sporty Bikinis on the Shores of Turks and Caicos

The 2020 SI Swimsuit model rode the waves during her photo shoot with photographer James Macari.

Ananya Panchal | Mar 6, 2024

Caroline Marks was photographed by James Macari in Turks and Caicos.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Professional surfer Caroline Marks made her mark in SI Swimsuit’s 2020 issue, and she rode the waves for the occasion as she was captured by James Macari on the breathtaking shores of Turks and Caicos.

The Florida native, who now lives in Southern California, began surfing when she was a little girl, and at the age of 15, she became the youngest surfer ever to qualify for the World Surf League’s championship tour. Last September, she won her first major title at the WSL finals, where she was the youngest contestant. The 22-year-old also participated in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and is currently gearing up for this year’s games in Paris.

“I get scared all the time for sure. Obviously the reef is scary, the sharks are scary and getting held underwater is not fun at all. I just tell myself, ‘O.K., I got this and I’ve trained hard for this.’ Just really believing in yourself. … I think that self-belief has really helped me get over those fears,” Marks told People magazine. “This year in general is just a really big one. … The Olympics adds a whole other aspect to this year. It adds a whole other added pressure. I’m nervous, but I’m also stoked. [My strategy] is staying solid, staying strong, being confident and not surfing the wave with fear.”

Below are seven stunning photos from her 2020 SI Swimsuit feature in Turks and Caicos with Macari. Our most favorite snap has to be the one of Marks riding that massive wave like the champion and true inspiration she is.

Caroline Marks was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by ROXY. Watch by Freestyle Watches.

Caroline Marks was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by ROXY.

Caroline Marks was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by ROXY. Watch by Freestyle Watches.

Caroline Marks was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Agent Provocateur. Watch by Freestyle Watches.

Published Mar 6, 2024

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.