Nique Miller is a Pro Surfer and Billabong Team Rider who calls Hawai’i home. You might know Nique from following her instagram or from being the cover surfer of Sea Together: ISSUE 001. Photos: Adventures of Jess
What have you taken from the ocean into your life?
I have learned so much from the ocean. It is ever changing and such a powerful, yet gentle force of nature. The two biggest lessons I have learned from the ocean are patience and gratitude. I have learned patience because you have to wait for the ocean to bring you waves, you can’t force or rush it. You are on mothers nature’s time. The more you learn to wait and relax and go with the flow, the more enjoyable surfing becomes. I think this applies to everyday life as well because sometimes we are so in a rush to get places or grow up and we miss the special moments life has to offer. I think as our world becomes more technology driven and less about human interactions, we lose what it feels like to wait and immerse ourselves in the world around us. This brings me to gratitude; the ocean has brought much of it into my life. The sea is such a beautiful entity that has lots to offer… refreshing water, animal wildlife, waves to surf, amazing views, and friendship from other ocean-minded people. I have some of the best memories of my life in the ocean. In the ocean, it’s all about nature and living in the moment.
How has Hawai’i helped you grow as a surfer?
Living in the Hawaiian islands has been such a special time in my life. I owe everything to being here and the abundance of aloha I feel! This was the first place that I felt like it was okay to be my true self. Before, when I lived on the mainland, I felt like it wasn’t acceptable or pretty to be a dark skinned Afro-Latina girl. I would always have my hair straightened and avoid being in the sun so I could be as light as possible. I felt ashamed of how I looked and dreamed of an alternate universe where I wasn’t Black. Besides my family, it wasn’t until I came to Hawaii where local people called me beautiful for the first time in my life. To me, this word, “beautiful”, was not associated with me. In Hawai’i, however people saw me for me and not the color of my skin, the kinks in hair, or how athletic my body looked. I was beautiful just how I was and more for how I acted. Slowly, I began to actually accept that I was “beautiful”. That’s something I love so much about Hawaii is all the diversity and acceptance here.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
I have always loved Black History Month and all that it represents and celebrates. There have been so many amazing Black and brown skinned men and women that have come before me and left a huge impact on this world. So many of these greats have open doors and paved paths for me to succeed. For this, I am forever grateful, however sometimes I feel a bit of mixed emotions on Black History Month. I am very thankful for this month and being able to reflect on myself and ancestors; but at the same time I don’t feel like Black history should be limited to only a month. I think Black history, along with the histories of all ethnicities, should be celebrated everyday.
All Photos in this feature are by Adventures of Jess and you can find her on Instagram here.
