Swimsuit

Surfer Malia Manuel Got to Do What She Loves During Her SI Swim Photoshoot in Turks and Caicos

The professional athlete was photographed by James Macari in 2020.

Ananya Panchal

Malia Manuel was photographed by James Macari in Turks and Caicos.

Malia Manuel was photographed by James Macari in Turks and Caicos.

Professional surfer Malia Manuel made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2020 with photographer James Macari. While on location in Turks and Caicos, she had the opportunity to be captured doing what she loves most.

The Hawaii native became the youngest surfer to ever win the U.S. Open of Surfing in 2008 when she was just 14 years old.

“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 told SI Swimsuit. “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.”

Below are six of our favorite photos from Manuel’s SI Swimsuit photoshoot.

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Published
Ananya Panchal

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a NYC-based Lifestyle & Trending News writer at SI Swimsuit. Before joining the Swim team, the Boston University Alum worked for culture & entertainment beats at Bustle, The San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When Ananya is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, she can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast.