The World Surf League (WSL) announced that Maya Gabeira claimed the inaugural Women's XXL Biggest Wave Award and set a new Guinness World Record for the largest wave surfed unlimited by a female athlete.
The 31-year-old from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, successfully surfed a wave measuring 68 feet (20.72 meters) from trough to crest at the infamous big-wave break known as Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal, on January 18, 2018.
Gabeira had been fighting for the women's right to have their own world record in big wave surfing for quite a while.
The WSL and the Guinness World Records have acknowledged her request, and a new category has been created.
"To set the world record has been a dream of mine for many years. But of course, after the accident in Nazaré in 2013, it felt like a very distant dream," said Gabeira.
"It took a lot of work to have a season like last year, to be 100 percent again, and to complete it with a Guinness World Records title is quite special."
Gabeira's incredible feat did not come without its challenges.
In 2013, Gabeira suffered a serious injury at Nazaré, but her unwavering determination brought her back to the monstrous and dangerous wave to not only surf again but set the women's world record.
"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," continued Gabeira.
"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 safety and 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."
Brazil now holds two world records for the biggest waves ever surfed. On November 8, 2017, Rodrigo Koxa surfed, also in Nazaré, what has been considered an 80-foot (24.38 meters) wave.
Sophie Goldschmidt, CEO of WSL, is proud of Gabeira's performance in heavy waters.
"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 Record holder for the largest wave surfed unlimited by a female surfer," adds Goldschmidt.
Courage and Progression
The achievement was announced at a special ceremony upon the grounds of the famous lighthouse that stands watch over the waves of Praia do Norte.
An official Adjudicator of Guinness World Records presented Gabeira with a certificate declaring her the current record holder.
Contenders for the women's world record dated back through surfing history, but the frontrunners featured two-time Big Wave Tour champion Paige Alms, big wave standouts Justine Dupont, Keala Kennelly, Andrea Moller, and surfing icon Bethany Hamilton.
Normally, the WSL's Big Wave Awards declare the biggest and best waves of the year during the annual Big Wave Awards show in April.
As this was a special determination of the largest wave ridden to date - spanning the history of the sport - it was awarded in a unique setting at the start of the winter big wave season and will now set the bar in the category going forward.
The 2019 Big Wave Awards in April will now award two new categories: the Women's XXL Biggest Wave Award (where jet skis may be used) and the Women's Biggest Paddle Award (wave caught with only arm power).