Surfing Makaha

Photograph by Paul Nicklen, National Geographic

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.

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