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| Maya Gabeira | |
|---|---|
| Name | Maya Gabeira |
| Birth date | January 10, 1987 |
| Birth place | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Occupation | Big-wave surfer |
| Years active | 2004–present |
Maya Gabeira Maya Gabeira is a Brazilian professional big-wave surfer known for pioneering achievements on large ocean swells and for setting multiple distance and height records in extreme surfing. She has competed internationally on circuits and in invitational events, collaborated with athletes and organizations on ocean safety, and drawn attention for dramatic wipeouts and recovery, inspiring coverage from global media, sports federations, and ocean advocacy groups.
Born in Rio de Janeiro to a family associated with the Gabeira family of Brazil, she grew up in neighborhoods near Ipanema and Leblon with early exposure to Brazilian surf culture, including influences from Gabriel Medina, Italo Ferreira, and coastal communities like Saquarema. She relocated to New York City in adolescence, living in boroughs proximate to Brooklyn and training at facilities connected to Brooklyn Bridge Park and coastal programs in New Jersey. Gabeira began surfing as a child at beaches such as Copacabana and Arpoador and later trained internationally in locations including Hawaii, Portugal, Nazare, Portugal, Mavericks, California, and Jeffreys Bay. Her early mentors and contemporaries included coaches and surfers from organizations like the International Surfing Association, World Surf League, and regional federations such as the Brazilian Surfing Confederation.
Gabeira entered the international scene through junior competitions associated with the Association of Surfing Professionals and moved into big-wave invitational events organized by groups like the Big Wave Tour and the Global Big Wave Awards. She has surfed at famed big-wave venues including Nazaré, Mavericks, Jaws (Peʻahi), Puerto Escondido, and Dungeons (South Africa), sharing heats and swells with athletes such as Garrett McNamara, Kelly Slater, Laird Hamilton, Ian Walsh, and Kelia Moniz. Gabeira's approach combined tow-in techniques popularized by figures like Dave Kalama and Duncan Coombs with paddle-in methods advanced by competitors from the Red Bull Big Wave Invitational and collaborators affiliated with Red Bull teams. Her career intersected with media outlets and broadcasters including ESPN, BBC Sport, NBC Sports, The New York Times, and National Geographic which profiled her exploits and training.
Gabeira set multiple records for biggest waves surfed and distance achievements recognized by bodies such as the Guinness World Records and adjudicated at award ceremonies like the World Surf League Big Wave Awards and the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards (now the World Surf League Big Wave Awards). Her landmark rides at Nazaré garnered comparison to records set by Garrett McNamara and Sebastien Zietz and drew participation from tow teams including riders trained under mentors related to Laird Hamilton and Mick Fanning. Memorable sessions included massed-lineups involving surfers from Australia, United States, Portugal, South Africa, and France, with support from rescue teams affiliated with Jet Ski operators, crews from Salvador, and medical teams connected to Hospital das Clínicas and emergency responders from Nazaré Lifeguard Service.
Gabeira experienced high-profile wipeouts and injuries, notably at big-wave locations where rescue operations involved teams linked to Cascais, Nazaré, Madeira, and Hawaii authorities. Incidents prompted scrutiny from organizations like the International Surfing Association and debates in media outlets such as The Guardian, The New York Times, CNN, and Sports Illustrated about safety protocols, tow-in ethics, and gender equity in big-wave recognition. Controversies included disputes over record adjudication similar to past discussions involving Garrett McNamara and Andrew Cotton, and regulatory attention from local councils in Nazaré and event organizers like the World Surf League regarding eligibility, equipment, and rescue procedures.
Outside competition, Gabeira has engaged with environmental and safety organizations including Surfrider Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, WWF, Greenpeace, UN Environment Programme, and regional initiatives in Brazil and Portugal focused on coastal preservation. She has collaborated with athletes and public figures such as Kelly Slater, Laird Hamilton, Gabriel Medina, Adriana Lima, and activists from Extinction Rebellion on awareness campaigns addressing ocean pollution, coastal erosion in places like Rio de Janeiro and Nazaré, and training for aquatic rescue. Gabeira has worked with brands and institutions like Red Bull, Billabong, Oakley, Rip Curl, Nike, and philanthropic entities tied to Ayrton Senna Institute-style education programs, and has participated in speaking engagements at venues including TEDx, Harvard University, and Oxford University-linked forums.
Gabeira received awards from surf institutions including the World Surf League, Billabong XXL, and honors cataloged by Guinness World Records; she has been profiled by publications like Vogue, Forbes, Time, Esquire, GQ, and Vanity Fair. National and international recognition included features on lists compiled by BBC 100 Women, nominations in sports awards associated with LAUREUS World Sports Awards and regional honors from the Brazilian Olympic Committee and cultural acknowledgments from municipal governments in Rio de Janeiro and Nazaré. Her achievements have been cited in documentaries and film projects distributed by outlets such as Netflix, HBO, and Discovery Channel.
Category:Brazilian surfers Category:Big wave surfers