Photo of the Day

three surfers preparing to head into the surf at Makaha in Oahu, Hawaii
January 19, 2015

Surfing Makaha

Located on the west coast of the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Makaha has a reputation as a tightly cloistered community dominated by descendents of ancient Polynesian seafarers. Here, two sisters and their cousin head into the surf at Makaha just after dawn to warm up before a competition. Participating from an early age in this ancient sport of Hawaiian chiefs teaches children to take pride in the culture they’ve inherited.

See more pictures from the February 2015 feature story “Pure Hawaiian.”

Read more about Nicklen's experience learning to photograph beneath the waves on Proof.

Photograph by Paul Nicklen, National Geographic

Go Further