Malia Manuel Was in Her Element on the Waves During Her SI Swimsuit Debut

The pro surfer surfed the waters of Turks and Caicos for her first brand feature.

Martha Zaytoun | Jul 12, 2024

Malia Manuel was photographed by James Macari in Turks and Caicos. Swimsuit by HAUS OF PINK LEMONAID. / James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Professional surfer Malia Manuel is at home in the water. The Hawai’i native began surfing professionally when she was in her early teens. Now 30, she remains inspired by the waves.

So when she posed for her debut Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photo shoot in 2020, it was fitting that she had a surfboard in hand and waves nearby. She has spent much of her life in a swimsuit, on the waves, so she was in her element on her trip to Turks and Caicos with photographer James Macari.

And the atmosphere resonated with Manuel, who shared that she finds herself most at home in and around the water. “Work for me, for the most part, is in nature, in the ocean; I’m constantly motivated and inspired with all that surrounds me in the water, whether that’s other athletes, friends, kids learning to surf for the first time, or just the stillness between waves,” she said while on set. “I thrive on the moments in between chaos and composure Mother Nature brings in the ocean. Every day is so different in the water, I’m constantly inspired to flow and learn to be present with my surroundings while I surf.”

Posing in the water for the SI Swimsuit issue, that motivation and inspiration shone through. In both the shots of her surfing the waves and posed on the beach, her familiarity and comfort with the setting was apparent.

Here are a few of the incredible photos from her trip to Turks and Caicos.

Malia Manuel was photographed by James Macari in Turks and Caicos. Swimsuit by Andi Bagus. / James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Malia Manuel was photographed by James Macari in Turks and Caicos. Swimsuit by TeenyB Bikini Couture. / James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Malia Manuel was photographed by James Macari in Turks and Caicos. Swimsuit by Dipped in Blue. / James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Published Jul 12, 2024

MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2023, she worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Zaytoun loves to watercolor and oil paint, run and water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.