Maya Gabeira

Maya Gabeira

Gabeira (center) in Washington D.C in 2014
Personal information
Born Maya Reis Gabeira
(1987-04-10) April 10, 1987
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Residence North Shore, Oahu, U.S.
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight 124 lb (56 kg)
Surfing career
Sponsors Red Bull, Billabong
Major achievements Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Award (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012), ESPY Award (Best Female Action Sports Athlete, 2009)

Maya Reis Gabeira (born April 10, 1987) is a Brazilian big wave surfer.

Career highlights

In 2009, Gabeira won the ESPY award for Best Female Action Sports Athlete.[1] Later that year, Gabeira surfed the biggest wave ever by a female when she successfully rode a 14 metres (46 ft) wave at Dungeons, a big-wave surf spot in South Africa.[2]

In 2010, she was awarded with the Billabong Girls Best Overall Performance Award for a record four years in a row.[3]

On October 28, 2013, Gabeira lost consciousness and nearly drowned while surfing a massive wave near Nazaré, Portugal, caused by the St Jude storm; she was saved by her fellow Brazilian big-wave surfer Carlos Burle, ending up in the hospital[4][5]

Gabeira's current sponsors include Billabong and Red Bull.

Personal life

Gabeira's father is Fernando Gabeira, one of the founding members of the Green Party of Brazil. Her father is also a former member of a guerilla group responsible for the kidnapping of the US Ambassador in Brazil, Charles Elbrick, in 1969.[6]

References

  1. ↑ The Extreme Scene The Extreme Scene: Congrats to Maya Gabeira for Winning Best Female Action Sport Athlete ESPY
  2. ↑ Transworld Surf Maya Gabeira Rides The Biggest Wave Ever By A Woman
  3. ↑ Explorer Girls Maya Gabeira Wins Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Award Fourth Year in a Row
  4. ↑ Paul Hamilos, "Surfers in Portugal ride towering waves whipped up by storm", The Guardian, October 29, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Maya Gabeira gives thumbs up after near-drowning experience", Surfer Today, October 28, 2013.
  6. ↑ Maya Gabeira - Professional X Games Athlete Profile Maya Gabeira

External links

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