Beyond the Board: The Untold Story of the World's Most Daring Big Wave Surfer

In this YA memoir, pro surfer Maya Gabeira tells the awe-inspiring true story of her journey from unstoppable teenager to the Guinness World Record-holding legend she is today

Who am I, beyond the board? Surf legend Maya Gabeira is famous for her nerve. Her surfing journey began at the age of fourteen and reached a high when she set (and later broke) a Guinness World Record for highest wave conquered by any big wave surfer-man or woman-after bouncing back from a near-fatal accident. Gabeira has been heralded as one of the top surfers of her generation. But who is the ferocious personality beyond the board? What are the stories behind the relationships and challenges that shaped her into the indomitable surfer, women's rights advocate, and champion for mental health awareness she is today?

For the first time ever, Maya looks back on her formative years: the romances, career highs, vulnerabilities, and setbacks that defined her at an early age. At seventeen, she left her home in Rio de Janeiro in order to chase waves around the world, toting a single backpack and waiting tables to get by. Maya carved her own path as a teen, defining her own remarkable narrative: that of a vulnerable, passionate, and driven young woman who learned never to flinch-even in the face of death.

"Gabeira's journey will captivate young athletes and inspire them to break barriers. A celebration of the possibilities for those who are made to feel like outsiders in sports."-Kirkus Reviews

1141910854
Beyond the Board: The Untold Story of the World's Most Daring Big Wave Surfer

In this YA memoir, pro surfer Maya Gabeira tells the awe-inspiring true story of her journey from unstoppable teenager to the Guinness World Record-holding legend she is today

Who am I, beyond the board? Surf legend Maya Gabeira is famous for her nerve. Her surfing journey began at the age of fourteen and reached a high when she set (and later broke) a Guinness World Record for highest wave conquered by any big wave surfer-man or woman-after bouncing back from a near-fatal accident. Gabeira has been heralded as one of the top surfers of her generation. But who is the ferocious personality beyond the board? What are the stories behind the relationships and challenges that shaped her into the indomitable surfer, women's rights advocate, and champion for mental health awareness she is today?

For the first time ever, Maya looks back on her formative years: the romances, career highs, vulnerabilities, and setbacks that defined her at an early age. At seventeen, she left her home in Rio de Janeiro in order to chase waves around the world, toting a single backpack and waiting tables to get by. Maya carved her own path as a teen, defining her own remarkable narrative: that of a vulnerable, passionate, and driven young woman who learned never to flinch-even in the face of death.

"Gabeira's journey will captivate young athletes and inspire them to break barriers. A celebration of the possibilities for those who are made to feel like outsiders in sports."-Kirkus Reviews

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Beyond the Board: The Untold Story of the World's Most Daring Big Wave Surfer

Beyond the Board: The Untold Story of the World's Most Daring Big Wave Surfer

by Maya Gabeira

Narrated by Maya Gabeira

Unabridged — 8 hours, 23 minutes

Beyond the Board: The Untold Story of the World's Most Daring Big Wave Surfer

Beyond the Board: The Untold Story of the World's Most Daring Big Wave Surfer

by Maya Gabeira

Narrated by Maya Gabeira

Unabridged — 8 hours, 23 minutes

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Overview

In this YA memoir, pro surfer Maya Gabeira tells the awe-inspiring true story of her journey from unstoppable teenager to the Guinness World Record-holding legend she is today

Who am I, beyond the board? Surf legend Maya Gabeira is famous for her nerve. Her surfing journey began at the age of fourteen and reached a high when she set (and later broke) a Guinness World Record for highest wave conquered by any big wave surfer-man or woman-after bouncing back from a near-fatal accident. Gabeira has been heralded as one of the top surfers of her generation. But who is the ferocious personality beyond the board? What are the stories behind the relationships and challenges that shaped her into the indomitable surfer, women's rights advocate, and champion for mental health awareness she is today?

For the first time ever, Maya looks back on her formative years: the romances, career highs, vulnerabilities, and setbacks that defined her at an early age. At seventeen, she left her home in Rio de Janeiro in order to chase waves around the world, toting a single backpack and waiting tables to get by. Maya carved her own path as a teen, defining her own remarkable narrative: that of a vulnerable, passionate, and driven young woman who learned never to flinch-even in the face of death.

"Gabeira's journey will captivate young athletes and inspire them to break barriers. A celebration of the possibilities for those who are made to feel like outsiders in sports."-Kirkus Reviews


Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Gabeira’s journey will captivate young athletes and inspire them to break barriers. A celebration of the possibilities for those who are made to feel like outsiders in sports."—Kirkus Reviews

"As fresh, fast, and fun as the waves Gabeira surfs, Beyond the Board is a solid addition..."—Booklist

Booklist

"As fresh, fast, and fun as the waves Gabeira surfs, Beyond the Board is a solid addition..."

Kirkus Reviews

"Gabeira’s journey will captivate young athletes and inspire them to break barriers. A celebration of the possibilities for those who are made to feel like outsiders in sports."

Kirkus Reviews

2025-04-19
A memoir from a woman pioneer of big wave surfing.

As a young teen, Gabeira, who grew up in Rio de Janeiro, was introduced to surfing at a beach party she attended with a friend from dance school—and she instantly fell in love. Headstrong and independent, she convinced her divorced parents to let her dedicate herself to learning to surf, kicking off a lifelong obsession that even her severe asthma couldn’t dampen. As she trained in Brazil and locales as far-flung as Australia, Hawaii, and Indonesia, Gabeira struggled to find her place in this male-dominated sport. She had a chance meeting with Eraldo Gueiros, a big wave surfer—someone who rides waves measuring 20 feet and higher (the term isn’t defined in the book)—and his enthusiasm inspired her to strive to become the world’s best big wave surfer. As one of the first women to attempt to conquer such massive waves, Gabeira faced misogyny, double standards, isolation, and harsh critiques from men who surrounded her. Injuries, anxiety, heartbreak, and self-doubt all plagued her as she pushed herself to break the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed by a woman, which she succeeded in doing in Nazaré, Portugal. Although the minimal dialogue and relatively few descriptions of scenes make the narration feel dense at times, Gabeira’s journey will captivate young athletes and inspire them to break barriers.

A celebration of the possibilities for those who are made to feel like outsiders in sports.(Memoir. 14-18)

Product Details

BN ID: 2940159366771
Publisher: Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date: 06/10/2025
Edition description: Unabridged
Age Range: 12 - 17 Years
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