A California native, Malia Ward is the daughter of pro surfer father Chris Ward and fitness model mother Jacqueline Miller. As such Malia’s introduction to surfing was inevitable. She spent a large part of her youth in the ocean, and by her early teens showed promise as one of California's best young surfers.

However, growing up with her mother, living a jet-set lifestyle in Corona Del Mar, the importance of education was stressed as much as any sporting achievement. Whilst competing on the junior circuit as a teenager, Ward also strove to be an all-round athlete and A-grade student.

Upon graduating from High School, she enrolled at the University of Southern California and studied Communications. She, naturally, was a member of the USC Surf Team but also a valued member of the entrepreneurship minor program. In between surfing and studying, she also pursued a budding commercial and theatrical acting career, played tennis and DJ'd on the side.

Now 22, you sense Ward’s life is brimming with opportunity. While surfing remains her number one passion, her mix of athleticism and smarts, education, and energy means that for the ever-smiling Ward, the world is her oyster.

“I just want to continue to become a better athlete and surfer,” she said recently. “I want to focus on being happy with my body, fitness goals, and all the wonderful people in my circle. The world needs inspiration right now more than ever.” You sense she is the right type of person to provide it.

Instagram: @malia_ward