SI LifeStyle

Malia Manuel Surfs the Waves in Neon Swimwear in Turks and Caicos

The athlete and one-time SI Swimsuit model was photographed by James Macari in 2020.

Ananya Panchal

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

Professional surfer Malia Manuel was featured in the 2020 SI Swimsuit Issue after being photographed by James Macari in the beautiful Turks and Caicos. In 2008, she made history as the youngest surfer to ever win the US Open of Surfing.

“I think as athletes, we always want to set a new personal record with whatever it is, and I think there’s a way to do both: to look good and have grace and style and still look strong and surf in incredible waves,” the Hawai’i native said while on location during her SI Swimsuit photo shoot.

Today, the 29-year-old is cofounder of the sclpt co, an eco-friendly activewear and workout accessories brand.

Below are six gorgeous photos from Manuel’s 2020 photo shoot.

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.

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