Text: Hugo Rocha Pereira | Photo: Mauro Mota | Translator: João Diogo Rocha Pereira
At the age of 26, Maya Gabeira is considered to be the best ever female big wave rider. It is hers the record for the biggest wave ever surfed by a woman (13,7 meters in Dungeons, South Africa); and the five awards achieved at the big waves surfing Academy Awards (the XXL awards, by Billabong), between 2007 and 2012, confirm her fame. Besides being towed through jet ski to the world’s biggest waves, the Brazilian is also known for her sex appeal, which brings her opportunities to star in casual and sports fashion ad campaigns. Maya Gabeira is in Portugal, along with other surfers of team Red Bull, and spent yesterday in Ericeira…surfing, of course. We exchanged a few words after some morning waves at Coxos to know a little more about the coming of this big waves muse to Portugal.
Can you tell us a little about this adventure that Red Bull provided for you to come here today?
We came to get to know Portugal, which is a country with vast potencial for big waves (such as in Nazaré) e for really good waves, like those here in Ericeira, which holds several high profile point breaks. We came to observe this potencial and to ride some waves while we’re at it.
When did you arrive to Portugal and where have you been staying?
We arrived Monday (October the 14th) and we have been staying in Nazaré. We’ll stary for another ten days and we might travel some more through Portugal. I didn’t know Portugal already, but I am Portuguese. My family is from Portugal, my great-grandparents were Portuguese and I also hold a Portuguese citizenship.
Is it true that the main reason you came to Portugal is to break the world big waves record, in Nazaré?
We’ll see (laughing). The intention is to come back more often to Portugal and Nazaré. So, this first time is more aimed at training, get to know Nazaré, leaving our surfboards here and getting the jet skis that we’ll need in the future. Leave it all ready for the next opportunity, when there’s a favourable forecast of big waves coming to Portugal during the upcoming winter.
And what are your first impressions about Ericeira and Portugal? Was there any wave in Ericeira that you’ve enjoyed the most?
They are great. Good waves, beautiful places…and it’s so good to be able to speak Portuguese far from home (laughing). I feel at home! I came to get to know and surf every wave…and then I’ll decide which one I like the most (laughing).
Esta publicação também está disponível em | This article is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)
