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Incredible Moment Female Surfer Breaks World Record By Riding Huge 68ft Wave

Incredible Moment Female Surfer Breaks World Record By Riding Huge 68ft Wave

The wave she managed to tackle was the highest ever surfed by a woman - and had nearly killed her previously

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Most days, we're just proud of ourselves if we've managed to get our five-a-day in, clambered into bed before 1am or remembered to take the washing out of the machine.

And while those things do deserve a nice old pat on the back, get ready to feel suuuuper inferior.

That's right, while we were busy chomping on bananas and shrinking all of our clothes after accidentally putting them on the tumble dry setting, one woman was out breaking records - on a huge 68ft wave, no less.

Maya Gabeira set a new Guiness World Record title for the 'Largest Wave Surfed Unlimited (Female)', while also claiming the World Surf League's inaugural Women's XXL Biggest Wave Award in the process. Not a bad day at the office, is it?

The 31-year-old surfer, who hails from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, managed to successfully surf a 68ft (20.72m) wave from trough to crest at a big-wave break called Prai do Norte in Nazare, Portugal earlier this year in January.

World Surf League

But she has now been honoured for her badass work, as WSL and Guinness World Records presented her with her respective award and certificate in a ceremony on 1 October.

In her speech, Gabeira said that her amazing achievement had not been without its challenges, having suffered a serious injury at Nazaré back in 2013 - where she snapped her tibia after being wiped out by a wave and nearly died in the water.

"To set the world record has been a dream of mine for many years," said Gabeira.

"But of course, after the accident in Nazaré 2013, it felt like a very distant dream. It took a lot of work to have a season like last year, to be 100% again, and to complete it with a Guinness World Records title is quite special."

She continued: "It's been quite a journey, but I can honestly say that in 2013 when I first came to Nazaré my life changed like never before.

"Of course, there was an accident, injuries and so on, but also I moved to Nazaré to be closer to the wave. I dedicated most of my time to the spot and I had years to focus on improving, on safety and on being around the best people to get where I wanted to be.

"That time was priceless, it taught me a lot and slowly I got back to my feet. Back to surfing at 100% and in a spot that I honestly consider the biggest and most challenging wave I ever surfed."

At the special ceremony overlooking the waves of Praia do Norte, an Guinness World Records Adjudicator gave Gabeira a certificate declaring her the current record holder for the Largest Wave Surfed Unlimited (Female) - oh yeah, as well as that WSL Women's XXL Biggest Wave Award

"Maya exemplifies the courage, commitment, and progression of female athletes around the world and we are so proud to celebrate her today as the new Guinness World Records title holder for the Largest Wave Surfed Unlimited (Female)," said Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO.

Right, I'm off to Google 'how to unshrink clothes'.

Featured Image Credit: World Surf League

Topics: SPORT, World News, Surfing, Awesome, News, Inspirational