Maya Gabeira on the wipeout that nearly killed her

Brazilian big-wave surfer Maya Gabeira recalls reaching the brink of death during a 2013 wipeout in Nazare, Portugal, and the numerous mistakes made by her and her surfing partner, Carlos Burle. Gabeira - now a two-time Guinness World Record holder in the sport - explains how the traumatic accident and numerous surgeries required during a four-year recovery have shaped her life. Plus, both Gabeira and her current surfing partner Sebastian Steudtner discuss why they do not look fondly on Burle, the man who both contributed to the 2013 wipeout and eventually saved Gabeira’s life.
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Episode debuted nationwide in 2021.
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[@TheHones]

Maya,, I am 77 years old man,, surfed all my life,, always lived on the edge.. I have so much respect for you.. you faced your challenges,, you are an inspiration for every woman and every girl. ❤️ .

[@alejandroleonardo7963]

This is why every time I surf 40 foot waves or bigger I always have my radio on and make sure to have a second rescue team, also I do it while day dreaming from my couch...never been hurt and probably never will.

[@michellegomes2030]

The fact that Carlos kept surfing while Maya was in the hospital is beyond me.

[@matthewzetts7775]

If hearing is the last thing you lose when I die I’m gonna hear, “get this kid off the dance floor!”

[@JoeKaye959]

😂😂😂😂

[@luizfonseca2901]

who is sebatian to talk about Carlos burle??

[@skb254]

Mad respect for this survivor. She shares responsibility. She knows the mistakes “they” made. I dare say she’ll never make those mistakes again!

[@reginaldinoenchillada3513]

Wow so they were underprepared and she almost died? It's almost as if laird Hamilton and Kelly Slater know what they were talking about.

[@chronic2001n]

Ya really. What gets me as well is her and the other guy double down and say how Laird and Kelly's egos were hurt and that's why they said what they said; while they were just stating the facts and their worry for people putting their lives in danger when they underestimate the situation, from their own experiences. Really a hideous thing to do.

[@unclerico7271]

Not to mention the amt of coddling she requires. No guy would get that treatment. She wants to be treated like the best guys but when it goes wrong, it's their fault. I don't know Carlos personally, but maybe he's never had to deal w a partner so needy and emotionally fragile. I dunno

[@xyzct]

Kemper almost died in 6' surf. Was _he_ totally prepared? Why did _he_ not criticized by Kelly and Laird?

[@unclerico7271]

@@xyzct Because Billy didn't go to the media and start pointing fingers at everyone else. Apples n oranges

[@unclerico7271]

@@xyzct also, Billy has proven himself over years n years, while SHE said herself "I'm feeling insecure". This is the wrong forum for virtue signaling. If I'm misunderstanding you, I apologize, but it sounds like u are trying to compare one of the best in the world to a surfer who admits she was not prepared. Seems like our current political climate. Emotion vs reality/common sense. But I respect your opinion. Cheers

[@hayley2640]

She is so strong. Maya, we support you! :)

[@matthewholmes8638]

So she admits she was questioning her own skill before she crashed.They werent prepared for resuces on the biggest waves in the world. So why is she upset at kelly and Laird for saying the same thing?

[@slightpain]

Yeah I dont see how they are trying to demonize carlos here, she had all these feelings about it and admits she knew all these things they were missing like a second rescue and the radio was gone, but she went for it.

[@michaelb7864]

Don’t forget she also is upset at Carlos for him telling her to retire when her spine was literally so bad that she couldn’t even walk. Yeah Carlos is the issue here what a joke this has become. Look at me look look look at me we get it Maya enough already

[@matth22]

@@michaelb7864 she is seemingly upset at everyone who has given her any level of criticism even if it is minimal and trying to keep her safe

[@evab.6240]

She was upset they have said it very publicly (esp. Laird) and in the moment when she was in the hospital, all fucked up anyways.. She said it was bad timing and also that it was hard to accept harsh words from her idols. Otherwise what I gathered from another video, she agreed with Kelly and Laird on the fact she wasn't prepared enough.

[@michaelb7864]

@@evab.6240 yet she went right back to doing the same exact type of wave riding she makes no sense and proves that she truly doesn’t get it. Not only went back to doing the same type of waves but did it after she got a second chance at life through a miracle surgery. Very ignorant in my opinion and proves she does not get it on any level

[@Luara-wax]

Nossa que loucura! God bless her a real survivor!

[@superorangeish]

How many times can she throw Carlos under the bus?

[@williamcorpuz9591]

Carlos risked his life to save her life. Her justification is Bizzar to say the least.

[@sambaman]

@@williamcorpuz9591 they should ask to Carlos as well....is not fair to only listen one version and not booth, about what happened .

[@michellegomes2030]

They are best friends and it’s the truth tho.

[@lau_dhondt]

Fantastic interview!

[@GrahamBensinger]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching! -AD

[@lau_dhondt]

@@GrahamBensinger I did! these are really superresearched questions! cheers

[@jimboslice9472]

she pretty much burnt up, sad : (

[@killah.d]

wierd way to thank someone for resecsitating you

[@pjdexter168]

Graham is the Bruce Lee of interviewers, quiet, composed and when he does talk, its epic!

[@GrahamBensinger]

Thanks PJ! -AD

[@scottyskydog]

Poor prep on there part! Lucky to be alive!

[@donaldsmith7592]

Go bless u, u are an amazing person and surfer!!! U have bigger balls than most men!!! God bless u

[@lowellcalavera6045]

She was the only woman towing in at Teahupoo, in 2007, when it was BIG. Hamilton was there. Raimana Van Bastolaer towed her in! She knows what she's doing, and like I said, I'd bet money most of you surf police have never been towed into a genuinely big wave, much less made a living doing it. She has. For many years.

[@l.mendes547]

👏👏👏

[@OrionBlaze]

Yeh but she’s a women and surfers are still stuck in the 2000s

[@urdad9853]

It's really facinating that humans can be this strong...courageous....crazy....what an amazing woman....and she explains everything so calm and peaceful.....RESPECT! Brule not so much.

[@tenalock]

Interesting interview, both sick surfers. People should not be doing these for other people (idols), but for yourself, including decision making of whether to go. It was huge at cloudbreak, my friend asked should I go, i'm like there is no way I can advise you on that but that I wouldn't personally (I stayed in the boat) . They went anyway, they got sooooo drilled - near drowned, snapped leash missing for over half an hour... to this day I'm glad I didn't tell them to go, and I am glad they made it out. Build it up so you know yourself you have the ability to make it yourself. Be prepared, and also choose your battles too.

[@marche7123]

Carlos also saved your Life.

[@Onlinesully]

gosh Carlos surely didn’t deserve all that. No doubt things went wrong, and Carlos didn’t get it all right, but they were both part of the episode

[@OrionBlaze]

Nah, Carlos put the entire team in that situation by pretending he had everything under control and refused to take advice from the local surfers

[@Onlinesully]

@@OrionBlaze Perhaps you are right about what happened out there

[@ondrejtyrner4719]

she should take more responbility and blame Carlos less , ... and I agree with Kelly and Lairds opinions. actually Im not that surprised hearing part Carlos actually said you dont need this anymore..... I mean she had speciallist which were definitely great and 2 surgeries was not very succesfull, that tells me it was really complicated , other doctors dont want 3rd surgery because it was probably very risky she was willing to take big risk again , Im glad it was success because she would blame the doctors

[@loganc352]

Graham killing it lately

[@GrahamBensinger]

Thanks Logan! -AD

[@Gabriel86756]

Her strenght is bigger than most of all the guys !! But this reporter should call Carlos and bring Carlos Burle opinion...

[@rogernegrete183]

Mya is a doll IAM glad she survived those waves are no joke and suck you back with so much water normal people die, sometimes one must almost die in order to live But of course you might get not get a second chance.

[@killah.d]

she really does blame him a lot

[@OrionBlaze]

Man, all this comments are misogynistic af, you assume because she is a woman she can’t take responsibility yet that day Carlos made his team believe he had everything under control when he had no idea what he was doing, he peer pressured someone who was not feeling safe, he refused to take any advice or help from the local surfers before going into the water, then he basically did everything wrong, ran her over and drowned her by dragging her underwater with the toe rope instead of getting her on the platform. Then when they where trying to revive her he took the jet ski and ran away to surf some waves himself. He is the classic example of a manipulative narcissist

[@LosPerrosSonFieles]

Sour grapes or No regrets? Sugar or shit.

[@glenkohu4843]

The most scary and unbelievable experience that the human mind body and soul can go threw as a person to chase that EXTREAM high an never knowing you will ever come out of it!! Nothing but RESPECT for Maya and for her to share that is scary in it's self!!

[@rosamrc923]

Maya is an absolutely honest, balanced, reflective, damn smart person. And her passion for surf, her perseverance, her faith in her potential, her determination and her hard hard work is what we should be celebrating in here. Not her errors but how far she's moved from those errors. All surfers make errors. Not all surfers get patronized.

[@unclerico7271]

So it's Carlos' fault? Cmon. Take some responsibility

[@OrionBlaze]

He’s so narcissistic

[@lionels839]

Not his fault but very amateur Carlos. He clearly had to grab her!!

[@irishman3375]

Nobody to blame but themselves

[@-st0pcryy1ingg17]

Holy shiiiiit!

[@garymcaleer6112]

Maya's guardian angel watched over her. I know. I've heard the voice of my angel from age 6. He's seen me through some heavy S.H.I.T.

[@CarolFelippe]

Maya is the best person in the surf's world and every day that I see she talking about criticism I admire her more and more! After all she suffered, she continue doing what she love!! You inspires me and a whole world Maya! Thank you!!!

[@LucasPenido]

You are definitely Brazilian! Maya might be cool, but far from the best. Still cool tho’

[@andregomes6074]

Michaela Fregonese is way better than her, not only as a surfer but as person!

[@honkpill686]

@@LucasPenido yep!

[@lumberchicken007]

KZbin: “we’ve decided to recommend videos you’ve already viewed because it’s fun to be annoying.”

[@lowellcalavera6045]

This woman is hardcore, and made history as a young big wave rider...and a helluva a surfer. I'm pretty sure that most of you judgemental keyboard heroes would drown in minutes if she took you out at any break she has been surfing since her teens. She got hurt. She loves her thing. Let her do it. Her mistakes, her pain. STFU.

[@brettjackman6901]

You are missing the point.IT IS NOT THST SHE IS A WOMAN.It is that she is a 'person' ill-prepared and lacking in ability,putting herself and others in danger regularily.Unwilling and or unable to admitt her shortcomings but more than happy and willing to blame others..In this instance 'Carlos'...

[@lowellcalavera6045]

@@brettjackman6901 Bullshit. No male surfer catches this kind of shit. Every wannabe with a ski goes and gets pounded at Pe'ahi whenever it breaks. She was the only woman towing in at Teahupoo, in 2007, when it was BIG. Hamilton was there. She knows what she's doing, and like I said, I'd bet money most of you surf police have never been towed into a genuinely big wave, much less made a living doing it. She has. For many years.

[@l.mendes547]

@Lowell Calavera Preach!👏👏👏

[@jessebah]

I guess you didn’t watch the interview or you must have no comprehension skills. She clearly admits several times of her and Carlos’ shortcomings, kook.

[@michaelfarar4232]

Name me ONE big wave pioneer who did NOT ignore some safety precautions and paddled out anyway to raise the bar! Someone tell Laird and Kelly that: super egos!

[@brunokrause]

Mark Foo, Todd Chesser, Sion Milowski. Oh, wait...

[@michaelfarar4232]

@@brunokrause Chesser? Really?

[@brunokrause]

@@michaelfarar4232 I’m being sarcastic. All three surfers I mentioned died surfing big waves.

[@reginaldinoenchillada3513]

Rest in peace.

[@michaelfarar4232]

@@brunokrause Oh, oops! I get it.

[@brettjackman6901]

Hahahaaaaa blames Calos for everything.....

[@unclerico7271]

Right? But can't wait to play the victim and everyone takes the bait. Social currency being the victim. Either she's hard-core badass chick, and made a mistake, or was unprepared chick still in training w poor mentors. Which is it? It can't be both, right?

[@christianmadsen7997]

What did you expect? She is blond😉

[@808BJJ_Black_Belt]

She’s lucky to be alive

[@robincardoza6357]

Great interview. Not stoked on how she threw Carlos under the bus. I've been around him many times in my life and he was a very cool person. Traveled to Norway with him and a crew and he is well liked and respected by many guys in the extreme sports world. Other than that she seems like a decent person.

[@viceb7]

Eh you might feel the same if he pressured you into almost dying lol but still her choice ultimately

[@karlsapp7134]

Seemed to me she was just pointing out the mistakes that were made in the whole experience.

[@woodnbikes]

He deserved every bit of it!!

[@doomah8540]

Remember, just because she is a woman doesn't mean she can't have a big ego. Also, her throwing her tow partner under the bus for everything that happened is just low, the guy saved your life and you go to every media outlet and blame him for everything? At the end of the day your the one who let go of the tow rope and decided to surf that wave so you have to deal with what consequences or victories come with it.

[@Guizambaldi]

One thing is to push yourself to the next step, accepting a high risk. Another thing is to accept a higher risk than necessary. That is dumb.

[@hiattpurcell1794]

just the amount the guy is thinking about his words and his body language is enough to tell me everything i need to know about carlos

[@michaelfarar4232]

This wahine has more guts than 90% of the rest of us male surfers. Keep pushing the bar Maya, it was meant to be pushed.

[@wilson4605]

If she had been successful, the credit would be hers alone, not his. But since she almost died, he is the one to blame. In other words, she was "forced" to surf the wave that she herself was sure she couldn't.There's people that have to blame someone by our mistakes in life.

[@kennethbrady]

Totally, 100%.

[@AuschwitzMyPants]

Two words = zero accountability

[@OrionBlaze]

You should know who Carlos is before commenting that

[@Cabrita93]

Just a matter of time until someone loses their life on that wave, no matter how many skies or lifevests you use it's just a narly break, especially with all the companies hassling athletes to put their neck on the line going bigger & bigger.

[@natedawg__7673]

That’s the risk you take lol

[@mariovitorlauande2706]

Princess of Brazilian surf

[@MAYK1NG]

'He put me in that wave' 'We didn't have that much experience' 'I wouldn't have chosen that wave today' 'Carlos had no experience in rescue' 'Carlos had no back up plan' 'He made a terrible approach' 'He retired me' He saved my life but it was all his fault. 😶

[@anda-ansheen]

If he wouldn’t have pressed her to ride that wave, if he was better prepared etc, he wouldn’t have had to save her in the first place 🙄

[@sevemcomamorpodeentrarclov6040]

Você surfou aquela onda e Carlos Bule (com a permissão de DEUS) a resgatou, Maya! Agradeça! Declarações como essa depõe contra você!!

[@ingemec83]

Talking bad like that about your 'tow partner'...You make the ultimate decision to go on...its your fault lady...

[@donaldumunawa4787]

Yeah how's that? Talk about ego.

[@kerryabruzzo5297]

Courageous woman, mad respect for Maya.

[@Thirdbornentertainment]

Man she cant accept responsibility at all

[@woodnbikes]

You have no clue . Once the surfer wipes out, they rely on their tow partner to get them out of harms way. Carlos failed miserably...

[@killah.d]

you know what you signed up for thats not his fault

[@ballsmahoney8684]

“I’m quite insecure here” Jesus Christ

[@openmind2161]

Thought its about game wipeout

[@va8382]

Carlos was disgusting. He left her dying in the hospital to continue surfing. Didn't care

[@just2wheelztv]

Laird and Kelly were 110% right, get over it. Take the advice and learn your lesson.

[@eduardogasparian8233]

Really or are they afraid that a woman less experienced, then themselves, goes for it, eats it and is still doing it. Shows that it can be done. How many guys eat it and some die and no one writes a line about.

[@woodymullins4686]

Who cares what anyone thinks. This woman has the desire to surf big waves. Tell everyone to stuff it. ! Never let anyone interfere with your dreams.

[@etf42]

Even if they’re stupid?

[@unclerico7271]

You're missing the point, Woody.

[@BoolaBear]

The dream should be to gain the SKILL to ride the wave.... not to just ride the wave haphazardly. That is the point you are missing.

[@eduardogasparian8233]

Right on the spot, people are jealous

[@matth22]

this chick is ridiculous

[@rogernegrete183]

I think she adores Carlos but throws him under the bus like you would throw Yourl little bro who gave you your first chunk of wax not to forget that day don't be afraid to tell her to get out since hes the one who started this addiction per sa

[@zoemcfadden4004]

She had no business being there in the first palce and real surfers know this ....

[@michaelb7864]

Yeah almost dying having your leg and ankle mangled and being in between 2 spine surgeries that didn’t work. And the people telling you to retire were out of line huh? What an absolute joke. I don’t care what she came back and did those comments were people trying to help not hurt. In my opinion it’s her dillusion that’s carried her to the top nothing short of a common sense chip that’s just missing with her. That’s why Laird and so many others have had issues with her. She truly is missing a chip and not in the gnarly crazy type of way. I would also add the surgeries were a success you can walk and talk again and instead of being happy riding 2-6foot waves with your friends you go back to solo charging waves that can undue all the luck and blessings you had and literally break your back and body. I’m sorry it’s just not respectable on some level that’s why so many people aren’t fans it’s a bizarre non stop look at me circus act

[@unclerico7271]

👏👏👏

[@l.mendes547]

Give me a break please any athlete of any type of sports has the desire to return and besides that surpass their own achievements after a major accident....it's called living your legacy. Has nohing to do with not being grateful for surviving but ones something becomes part of who you are, you only strive to become better especially after a major set-back. That's like telling Kobe Bryant to chill after his major ankle injury which he caused when he was overdoing it on the courts. Most accidents with athletes happen by overlooking certain techniques and preparation plans, thats what is called growth and strengthening yourself for the next battle to achieve. You men will applause any man out there that thrives back to become the greatest after a major accident but will quickly tell a woman to settle for what she can do and be grateful. Why should she?

[@michaelb7864]

@@l.mendes547 one of the dumbest comments and comparisons I’ve heard.

[@l.mendes547]

Yeah cause when your dumb you miss the point that it wasnt an comparison but it was the point out the mindset of an athlete and desire to always push beyons limits.

[@michaelb7864]

@@l.mendes547 you missed the point most “athletes” don’t push beyond life or death situations. Get a clue. Pushing beyond a situation that can kill you or permanently disable you when you were lucky enough to beat it the first time and get a second chance at life is dumb.

[@LucasPenido]

I didn’t know that Carlos Burle, who is/was idolized by the surfer community, acted like that! That are always 2 ends of the story, but then again, why would she lie?

[@unclerico7271]

Maybe cuz she knew she'd get the reaction she's getting. All the pioneers are wrong and she's right? It's embarrassing hearing these guys get thrown under the bus. If she's the best in the world, world records etc, why isn't SHE responsible for any of this??

[@LucasPenido]

@@unclerico7271 Makes sense, but then again, she blames Burle for being unprepared! No radio, never really had used the jet ski properly. No jacket, etc...

[@50hellkat2]

Carlos not looking good. This woman is amazing.

[@glennandkarone.6747]

Congrats Maya, love people like you who have vision and moxie, but dam you are an awkward and blaming human.

[@lighthouse8408]

Nay sayers

[@donaldsmith7592]

Go bless u, u are an amazing person and surfer!!! U have bigger balls than most men!!! God bless u