Nazare (Portugal): Maya Gabeira has surfed her way to the record books.
It was on February 11, 2020, that the Brazilian surfer rode a monster wave, measuring 73.5 feet, at the Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal.
Her effort has now been recognized by Guinness Book of World Records. She has extended her women’s world record and also beaten the men to win the award for the biggest wave ridden this year.
The 33-year-old Brazilian and her tow partner Sebastian Steudtner from Germany were in the line-up in Portugal to compete in the men’s team event at the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge. Maya was the only woman surfer in the field, reported The New York Times.
“I was in the zone… more brave than I usually am. I got really close to disaster. I had never been so close to such a powerful explosion,” she recalled. “I had never felt that energy and that noise. It felt really terrifying”
Watch her ride the biggest wave below:
