In pictures: Surfs up at Cox’s Bazar, Bangaldesh

Shuma, 12, and 10 year old Jahanara smile as they poses for photos with their awards during the annual Cox’s Bazar surf competition.

Maisha, 12, buys items to make jewellery to sell on the beach.

10 year old Jahanara, who has been working for 5 years, sells chips and water.

Jahanara has learnt to surf by her mentor, a 24 year old surfer, lifeguard and beach worker Rashed Alam.

10 year old Jahanara, 12 year old Shuma, and 10 year old Aisha sell items on the beach. Like the girls, Alam dropped out of school and started working on the beach to help support his family at a young age. He started surfing when he was 16. He says that his way of giving back is by ensuring that girls get a good future through surfing.

Rashed Alam talks with the beach vendors. Like the girls, Alam dropped out of school and started working on the beach to help support his family at a young age. He started surfing when he was 16. He says that his way of giving back is by ensuring that girls get a good future through surfing. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Rashed Alam has been teaching the girls to surf for three months teaches beach vendors to surf for the annual Cox’s Bazar surf competition.

Shobhemeheraj, 12, surfs.

Rashed Alam gives surf tips to Shobhemeheraj.

Rifa works on the beach.

Rashed started surfing when he was 16. He says that his way of giving back is by ensuring that girls get a good future through surfing.

Maisha laughs at home.

A group of 10-12 year old female beach vendors, most of whom have dropped out of school to help support their families, have been learning to surf for the past three months in preparation for the annual Cox’s Bazar surf competition. All photos by Allison Joyce / Getty Images April 14