MAYA and the WAVE, a feature length documentary, tells the extraordinary story of
Maya Gabeira, the first woman to surf the giant wave in Nazaré, Portugal. She nearly
drowns – and is ridiculed by the male big wave surfers who dominate the sport. Three
spine surgeries and five years later, she surfs the biggest wave a woman has ever surfed.
When her accomplishment is disregarded, Maya enlists the help of her fans to fight for
recognition –and becomes the first female surfer honored with a Guinness World Record
in big wave surfing.
Click here for where to find Maya And The Wave on tour in cinemas
Filmmaker Stephanie Johnes follows the incredible and inspirational story of Brazilian big wave surfer Maya Gabeira in her award-winning documentary.
When Maya, having always dreamed of surfing giant waves, attempts to surf the infamous big wave of Nazaré, Portugal, and nearly drowns in the process, it is the beginning of an arduous and inspiring story.
But Maya has the blood of a rebel: her father is legendary activist and politician Fernando Gabeira, and with his same radical spirit, Maya endures.
Three spinal surgeries and five years later, on 18th January 2018 an unprecedented storm approaches Nazaré and Maya surfs the biggest wave a woman has ever surfed. When her accomplishment is disregarded, she must fight the misogyny and cynicism of the sport to gain the recognition she deserves.
Becoming the first female surfer honoured with a Guinness Book World Record, Maya goes on to become the first woman to compete in the men’s division of a big wave competition, surfing the biggest wave of the year, breaking the very world record she set.
In the footsteps of Billie Jean King, she has achieved a rare moment in sports – outperforming all men and showing the world that women are capable of anything.