Death-defying Brazil surfer claims world record after mastering 68-foot wave in Portugal

A record-breaking Brazilian surfer rode a gigantic 68-foot wave at the same site in Portugal which nearly claimed her life five years earlier.

Maya Gabeira, now 31, was left with a shattered body and unconscious in the water after a wipeout at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, in 2013.

But the Rio surfer was left with a taste of redemption after mastering an even larger, 20.72 metre, wave from trough to crest.

She wrote herself into the Guinness Book of Records in the largest wave surfed unlimited (female) category, as well as being recognised by the World Surf League, who presented her with the inaugural women’s XXL Biggest Wave Award.

“To set the world record has been a dream of mine for many years,” said Gabeira, who also broke her shin on the wave five years ago.

“But of course, after the accident in Nazaré 2013 [when she was knocked unconscious and nearly drowned], it felt like a very distant dream.

“It took a lot of work to have a season like last year, to be 100 per cent again; and to complete it with a Guinness World Records title is quite special.”