Bio From: http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/Profile/Maya-Gabeira----Surfing-Profiles----Red-Bull-021242757937543
Maya Gabeira’s talent, exploits, and the fact that she’s a woman holding her own in the big wave waters many surfers fear to tread, have garnered much attention. Traveling continuously, just three short years after learning to surf, she’s amassed a repertoire of waves to make even the most seasoned professional a little jealous.
On November 1, 2007, Maya towed into the snarling beast of a wave at Teahupoo for the first time during an epic swell that brought out the sport’s most elite riders. The only girl in the line-up, Maya took some devastating wipeouts before catching what she calls, “the wave of my life.” Rides like these have earned her prestigious back-to-back Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards in 2007 and 2008.
As for the future of women’s tow-in surfing, and big wave surfing in general, expect Maya to stay out in front. Though she laments the fact that there aren’t any women’s tow-in competitions just yet, she understands the challenges. “It hard for the guys,” she explains. “It’s not a sport like the CT or the QS. Sponsors are hard to find because it’s expensive and dangerous. So imagine what it’s like for the girls! But it’s coming; I’m positive!”