After a few wobbly attempts, the U.S. President's 11-year-old daughter managed to stand upright on her board to the delight of her mother Michelle, who was watching with a group of young friends.
Malia triumphed over the waves as the family enjoyed a holiday in Hawaii.
Yes I can! Malia Obama manages to get to her feet as she holidays with her family in Hawaii
The family were pictured on the beach in front of the house they are renting in a suburb of Honolulu.
Barack Obama enjoyed a game of golf - although his body movements suggested he might be a useful surfer himself.
The president hit the links at Mid-Pacific Country Club - just hours after starting his day with a workout at the gym on the Marine Corps base in Kaneohe Bay.
Look at me, Mom! Michelle Obama, left, applauds her daughter Malia at the family's rented holiday home
Anything my big sister can do: Malia's younger sister Sasha also manages to stand up on her board - although it looks as though she may have gotten a bit of sneaky help
But it wasn't all sports for the Obamas - the family did find time to relax at the cinema also, with a private showing of James Cameron's Avatar.
The Obamas visited a cinema near their rented house yesterday morning for a screening of the 3-D hit, before the day's regular screenings began.
Mr Obama, a self-described film buff, left his compound with Sasha, Malia and wife Michelle before noon on New Year's Eve.
The family have been in Hawaii since Christmas. They are set to return to Washington in the new year.
Down time: Mr Obama (right) and his daughters Malia (light) and Sasha (centre) leave a shopping mall after watching the film Avatar yesterday
