A parade Monday, Sept. 11, down San Clemente’s main drag to the pier honored two newly crowned world champions, Caroline Marks and Filipe Toledo, both who have called the surf town home for the last several years.
The procession led by classic woodie cars and first responders celebrated the surfers who won the Rip Curl World Surf League Finals at nearby Lower Trestles over the weekend, but city leaders also took time to reflect on the significance of the date – the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
“This is a special day, not just because we’re celebrating two champions, but because it’s 9/11, so I want to thank our first responders as well,” said Mayor Chris Duncan. “The reason we can enjoy wonderful events like surfing is because of our wonderful heroes who take care of us, the Marines and the other military services and our first responders who make sure we are safe, make sure we can have surf contests and make sure we can enjoy the incredible quality of life we have here in San Clemente.”
The surfers were joined by their families and greeted by fans, giving autographs and taking selfies with supporters with the ocean in the backdrop.
Sarah Marks said the support her daughter, Caroline, has seen from the community has been incredible.
“We’re San Clemente transplants, I’m so grateful they adopted her here,” Sarah Marks said. “It’s just such a passionate surfing community and we’re so stoked to be part of it.”
Father Darren Marks talked about his daughter – one of six children – originally having a passion for riding horses before she started surfing with her older brother. She started entering contests about age 10 and just a few later, at 16, landed on the elite World Tour.
“Holy smokes, we had to make a big choice,” he said about his daughter joining the tour at such a young age. “So far, so good.”
Ricardo Toledo lined up among fans to have his shirt signed by his son.
“We are…
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