Owner and owner of the giant waves: who is Maya Gabeira?

With each wave, surfer Maya Gabeira proves that she is capable of breaking her own records. The carioca collects unprecedented feats wherever she has been: from Alaska, Hawaii to establishing herself in the waves of Nazaré, in Portugal. Discover the world record history of giant waves!

Who is Maya Gabeira?

Maya Reis Gabeira was born in Rio de Janeiro on April 10, 1987, the daughter of a writer and a stylist. She started surfing at age 14 by enrolling in a surf school on Arpoador beach, Rio de Janeiro. She started competing a year after starting training and soon after she moved to Hawaii, where she decided to dedicate herself to big wave surfing.

In 2018, she broke the record for the biggest wave surfed by a woman in Nazaré, Portugal. She reached the mark of 20.72 meters and ended up in the Guinness Book of records. Her feat was even greater in 2020, in which she surpassed her own record and reached 22.4 meters.

What did she do for Brazilian sport?

A reference in the world sport, Gabeira gave a lot of visibility to Brazilian surfing, especially female surfing, by conquering unprecedented feats in big waves. The pioneering spirit of female surfing in Brazil was with the American naturalized Brazilian Margot Rittscher in 1936.

Since then, Brigitte Mayer was the first professional Brazilian surfer in history and the first to compete in a stage of the World Tour in 1990. Andrea Lopes was the first Brazilian to win a title, in 1991. Jacqueline Silva and Silvana Lima were runners-up. and opened space for Maya to assert herself as the greatest representative of Brazilian surfing today.

10 facts about the biggest female giant wave surfer

Find out more about Maya Gabeira, in addition to her records and pioneering spirit:

1. First woman to surf in Alaska

On an expedition with other surfers, Maya left the waters of Hawaii and dove into the icy waters of Alaska, becoming the first woman to do so there in 2008.

2. Was responsible for creating the female surfing category in Guinness World Records

By breaking her first record as the first woman to surf in Alaska, Maya Gabeira gave rise to the category in the record book, which until now only recorded waves surfed by men.

3. Won Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards four consecutive times

Just 3 years after turning professional, Gabeira was awarded the best performance among women. The feat was repeated for four consecutive years, only interrupted by Hawaiian Keala Kennelly in 2011, winning again in 2012.

4. Train static apnea in the pool and free diving in the sea

To face the giant waves, Maya started training static apnea in the pool, a technique of voluntary suspension of breath in the water. She also practices free diving in the sea, known as freedivingwhich consists of diving without the use of breathing equipment and devices, aiming to improve your performance in the sport.

5. Won the ESPYS award in the Female Action Sports Athlete category

Awarded by EPSN channels, ESPYS celebrates the best athletes every year. In 2009, Maya Gabeira won the award in the female category for Best Action Sports Athlete.

6. Exchanged to Australia at age 15

At the age of 15, he did an exchange program to Australia and was able to experience surfing in another country. She returned to Brazil, already immersed in the sport, and began to compete professionally.

7. Had an accident surfing in Teahupoo, Hawaii

In 2011, he tackled the Teahupoo waves in Tahiti. After suffering a fall, she took several waves on her head and was rescued unconscious.

8. Is in love with dogs

Between photos in the water and training, the surfer’s social networks are filled with photos of her dogs, Naza and Stormy, who accompany her on her adventures.

9. He spent five years in recovery after an accident in Nazaré

The serious accident happened on Nazaré beach, in 2013. She was training to beat the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed in Nazaré, by Garrett McNamara. As she fell from the wave, she was knocked unconscious and fractured her ankle. She still needed to undergo surgeries and procedures on her spine as a result of the accident and was only able to return to surfing a few years later.

10. Your story in documentaries

Two documentaries tell the story of the athlete and how she managed to come back after the serious accident in Nazaré. “Eu, Maya Gabeira” is a documentary miniseries produced by the Off channel and “Return do Nazaré”, produced by Red Bull.

Gabeira opened the doors to many surfers and made history in the waters of Nazaré. How about getting to know the legacy of women’s sailing with the impactful story of Martine Grael?