This incredible female surfer just smashed a world record

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This incredible female surfer just smashed a world record

By Susan Devaney

7 years ago

Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira has broken a world record for women everywhere. 

For many people the sea can be a daunting place to be, with sharks, jellyfish and who knows what else to contend with. For Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira, though, it’s where she feels at home, as proven by the fact that she has scooped one of the highest accolades for female surfers.

That’s right, Gabeira has only gone and smashed a Guinness World Record: largest wave surfed (unlimited) – female.

The 31-year-old, who’s been a life-long surfer, rode a 68-foot wave earlier this year during the World Surf’s League in Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal.

Picking up her award in Portugal on Monday 1 October, the sportswoman spoke of the challenges she’s faced in reaching her incredible career moment.

“To set the world record has been a dream of mine for many years,” Gabeira said. “But of course, after the accident in Nazaré 2013, it felt like a very distant dream.”

The accident, of course, refers to the moment when Gabeira nearly drowned in 2013. While riding a wave in Nazare North Canyon she was wiped out and lost consciousness, nearly drowning. It took two attempts to save her. Thankfully, she only sustained a broken ankle. 

Believe it or not, but after Gabeira’s accident she moved to Nazaré “to be closer to the wave” and focus her attention on getting back on top form by taking on the “biggest and most challenging wave”.

“It took a lot of work to have a season like last year, to be 100% again,” she said. “To complete it with a Guinness World Records title is quite special.”

In the video, you can see the incredible moment when Gabeira rides the wave, making it look effortless. 

We can’t wait to see what she achieves next.

Images: Getty / Instagram 

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