12.09.2023
CAROLINE MARKS AND FILIPE TOLEDO ARE YOUR 2023 WORLD CHAMPS
In a thrilling culmination of the 2023 season, Marks and Toledo emerged as the champions, etching their names into the annals of surfing history.
Marks, showcased her exceptional skill and determination throughout the season, earning her first-ever title over 2023 standout and fellow FCS rider Carissa Moore who was unable to topple Caroline in the best-of-three match-up.
Meanwhile, Toledo displayed his unmatched eclectic repertoire to secure his second World Title, solidifying his position as one of the sport's modern icons and one of the most exciting surfers to ever compete at Lower Trestles.
Entering as the number three seed, Caroline used her vicious backhand attack to positive effect, continuously notching up massive numbers and moving past Tyler Wright and then Carissa Moore in the final showdown. As a result, Marks became the first female to win a World Title from mainland USA since Lisa Andersen in 1997.
Alongside her favourite Lost Surfboards Driver model board, Marks also opted to stick to a faithful black T-3 grip and her trusty Mick Fanning signature fins to earn herself the maiden title.
A huge congratulations also goes out to Carissa Moore who surfed impeccably all year.
As the favourite for the 2023 World Title, Toledo entered the WSL Final Five as the number one seed, a position that he capitalised on throughout the duration of his best-of-three matchup with Australia's Ethan Ewing.
Unlike his win in 2022, Filipe opted to ride a more conventional thruster as opposed to a quad, pairing his Sharpeye 77 model with his signature series fins and traction, leaving his trademark Sharpeye Inferno with H4 quads on the sand as his backup.
“It’s just so inspiring to have my name up on that list,” Marks told the WSL. “This has just been a goal of mine. World Champion, it’s crazy. I went through a weird one last year, and I was doubting myself. This just feels so good. I really don’t know what to say, I’ve been really emotional this year. This feels like a lot of emotion.”
“It’s so hard to put into words what it took for me to be here right now,” said Toledo. “So much sacrifice. A lot of sacrifice, to be honest. Seven years ago, I had my first kid. I wasn’t at home too much to be there with my wife. Neither was I there for Koa as well. I knew in the long run, this was going to pay off. This is a dream come true. I don’t think there’s ever been a Brazilian that won back-to-back. We like to make history. I’m super thankful to God. He blessed me all the way here. It was not easy.”