A ten-foot wave puts the gleam in the eyes of five-year-old Luke Marks. Surf boards and motorbikes are his passions in life. And when you see his feats, it's hard to imagine that this young boy has accomplished so much in so little time.

Luke started swimming with Coach Larry Blumberg, Recreation Director at the Lighthouse Point Yacht and Recreation Club, at age two. At three years old he won the league championship and again at fours old. He also placed second in the six year old championships at age four.

In June 2002, Like was invited to swim for Broward Aquatics (the team is ranked top-ten in the USA). Luke has consistently placed in the top three in six-and-under Broward County meets. He still has 18 months to compete in this age group. Coach Blumberg's goal for Luke is to break the six-year-old county record and possibly the state record. Luke is currently ranked top sixth in state for butterfly and top ten for freestlyle.

"Luke's real passion is surfing. If you ask Luke what he wants to be when he grows up he will tell you, 'I want to be a professional surfer,'" said Luke's dad, Darren Marks. "Often I come home from work to find Luke waxing his surfboard asking me to take him surfing. What amazes me is his no-fear attitude surfing six-foot waves that are two times over his head and thinking nothing of it. I know ten year olds who will not surf six-foot waves. We recently surfed Boca Raton during Hurricane Isabell and we have surfed some of the most popular breaks in Florida, such as Sebastian Inlet, Stuart Rocks, St. Augustine, and Ft. Pierce," he added.

Luke competed in an Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) contest at Deerfield Pier and rode the longest wave of the contest. When he surfed in the eleven-and-under "Menuhue" division, he had a huge impact on the crowd with lots of hooting and cheering. He was recently written up in Eastern Surfing Magazine (ESM) as one of the hot "groms" to watch in Florida (a "grom" is a surfer under 18 years old).

The most amazing thing is the amount of sponsorship offers he has received already. He is currently sponsored by SURFWORLD in Pompano Beach, FL. The shop owner, Randy Skinner, has taken Luke under his wing and gives his private surf lessons. In addtion he has guided the family through Luke's surfing popularity. Randy says, "This kid is going places." Luke rides for the Surfworld Team and is featured on the website. You can look his up at www.Surfworld.us.

He is also sponsored by Himaya. A European sports sunscreen company that specializes in sunblock for surfers, snow boarders, and kite boarders. Himaya just released a posteer of Luke surfing that was sent to local surf/water shops.

Luke has received over a dozen sponsorship offers. "We have carefully selected certian companies because we feel the have Luke's best interest in mind. As a parent, I am very careful to keep Luke grounded. We also receive advice from Octagon, a sports management company. Carter Olcott has also advised us on the world of sponsorship," said Marks.

Caoch Larry has spent an enormous amount of time with Luke and has taken him under his wing. His lesson program is second to none and a breeding ground for future stars.

You can find out more about Luke by going to his website, www.LukeMarks.com.