Maya Gabeira's Triumphant Return to Nazaré

On October 9, 2015, at exactly midday, beneath the 12 chimes of the bells of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré, Maya Gabeira rode her first wave back at Praia do Norte, where three years earlier she experienced the roughest moment of her career.

Bulldozed by a massive wave, Gabeira broke her ankle instantly, but that was the least of her troubles. Two more waves tossed her around as her body went limp and she slipped in and out of consciousness before fellow Brazilian Carlos Burle was able to rescue her. The scenes were shocking and were watched in horror around the world.

All of which brings us to the courageous clip above. With much physical and psychological preparation, along with two hernia surgeries to her back, Gabeira got back to the place that once changed her life forever. As naturally as you'd expect from someone who's surfed the biggest waves on the planet for the past decade, the 28-year-old didn’t have any problems dropping into 10ft waves, but that was only her first step.

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[sharonwheeler]

Maya is my hero. She is a special person, inspiring in multiple ways. It’s also great to see how Carlos supports her. Slater and Hamilton’s comments about Maya at Nazare really showed their ugly sides.

[tiffsaver]

GOD BLESS YOU, MAYA!! We are so proud of you, not only because of your remarkable accomplishments, but of you conquering your fear. In these days of this insane virus scare, just watching this gave me a boost of confidence and joy like you cannot believe:) Keep on surfin'!!! We love you.

[johnswimcat]

What an inspiration this person is. Her words will stay with me for life. Respect. Lots of it

[AintS]

Well, of all of the places you can lose it all, I'd have to rank that at the top of my list. Sanctuary of our Lady of Nazareth on top of a majestic cliff that oversees all of the turmoil below. Listening to her story for a second time, I picked up on the fact that she was explaining a near death experience and seeing the cliff before she taking that first breath... that's a special story in and of itself.

Greatness!

[Thejulianocarvalho]

She is a warrior, example of overcoming. Pride of Brazilian!

[kimrecreant]

Great story. Very inspiring. To come back to the same place and do it again after near death is awesome. Have to say it's brilliant to see the support from Carlos too. Both Maya and Carlos are fantastic.

[TheThemattyo]

The most fearless female on the planet " Maya is from another star system "

[ncjpg]

I'm so glad I was there, when she surfed. BEST VACATION EVER.

[georgiasurtees]

She is so brave, she almost died there and now she's back there

[markcreamer]

Wow she is an incredible inspiration, what Laird and Kelly said i thought was awful, im rooting for her before her Wipeout and im super rooting for her now more than ever
Shes incredibly awsome

[Tmac]

So cool! What an amazing story and triumphant come back!!! Well done!!!

[Donaldduckfan-mjoj]

This girl inspired me to surf in the first place! Now it’s my favourite sport

[dennismatlock]

I Salute You Young Lady!!! I Am In Awe....

[adilsonmendes]

Muita coragem surfar de novo onde quase morreu. Parabéns a ela e ao Burle.

[Cheapphilosophysale]

And now she's set the world record for a woman for biggest wave surfed at the very place that nearly took her life. Badass

[TechnikMeister]

Some famous quotes.
"The hardest thing to do to overcome your fear is not to, because thats what protects you" ...Col."Chesty" Puller at Guadalcanal in 1942. What you have to do is control the way fear is affecting you. You live in the day as Cochise said: "Live for today. Yesterday has gone and tomorrow may not come."

[viniciusbeatportamorim]

Parabéns Maya, muito talento, superação, coragem e amor pelo surf!

[woodnbikes]

Best female surfer on the planet! Glad she finally has a real tow partner who actually cares about what happens to her...

[brandondrake]

at 4:01 i shout YEAH while eating peanut butter toast.

[rael]

An amazingly beautiful, talented lady !