Surf’s Up With Mady Dewey in Puerto Rico for the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue

Last year’s Swim Search winner returns for her rookie beach feature.

Mady DewyBen Watts/Sports Illustrated

After winning last year’s SI Swim Search open casting call, Mady Dewey is back in the fold. “I can’t even describe how it feels to be a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit rookie,” Dewey says. “Like I say it out loud, and I still don’t fully recognize that that’s what’s happening right now. It’s an honor. I cannot even begin to explain how grateful I am for the chance to even do this once, let alone now to get to come back and be a rookie and just to have the opportunity to try something new, try something outside of what I do day in and day out has been such a joy.”

View Mady Dewey’s entire 2023 gallery here.

She traveled to Puerto Rico to work with photographer Ben Watts for the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue. In her rookie feature, the model embraced local surf culture with bright and patterned looks.

Adventure awaits on the Caribbean island, and the Southern California native donned a vibrant orange and blue crotchet swimsuit from RUTT. In true surf culture fashion, she accessorized the chevron bikini with beaded necklaces by ByRoxStudio.  

Mady Dewey was photographed by Ben Watts in Puerto Rico. Swimsuit by RUTT. Necklaces by ByRoxStudio.

While Dewey has only ever modeled for SI Swimsuit, the tech professional is passionate about encouraging women to chase their dreams, whether those goals are in the fashion industry or in STEM fields. She’s the cofounder and CEO of Herd, a metric-less social media app that aims to create a space online where women and nonbinary people can post without the worry of comparison and judgment.

View Mady Dewey’s entire 2023 gallery here.

Learn more about all of the women featured in the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue.

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