Pro-surfer Laura Enever (Australia) conquered the wave of a lifetime and broke the record for the largest wave surfed paddle-in (female).
The crest of the wave that the 31-year old surfer rode on the Outer Reef, Oahu, Hawaii, USA, reached an incredible 13.3 m (43.6 ft).
A giant dressed in crisp blue, rolling forth with a brute force that roared in Laura’s ears.
After careful analysis and following the measurements carried out by the World Surf League, it was confirmed that the feat was indeed record breaking.
For pro-athletes like Laura, who who have dedicated their lives to the world of watersports, riding such heights can be life-changing.
Many wait all their life for the chance to meet the wave; some of them, as is the case of Laura, are destined to make history.
“Laura is fearless, committed, and a real inspiration," declared Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL Chief of Sport. "And I’m so proud to celebrate her."
The WSL Big Wave Record Chase, which we introduced last season, has really allowed us to shine the spotlight on athletes like Laura who are pushing the boundaries of Big Wave surfing. - Jessi Milely-Dyer
Ultimately, the wave that the Australian surfer rode surpassed the previous record set eight years ago, when a massive giant of water had been paddled-in by pro-athlete Andrea Moller.
The Brazilian surfer surfed into an epic 12.8 m (42 ft) wave – another ‘wave of a lifetime', for sure - at the break known as "Jaws", in Maui, Hawaii, USA, on 16 January 2016.
Following the announcement, Laura declared that it's an honour to beat Andrea's record and keep pushing big wave surfing.
And I know that the next girls, the next generation of female big wave surfers are going to do the same. - Laura
The male record for the largest wave surfed paddle-in is held by the American Aaron Gold.
As the previous female counterpart, this amazing feat took place in Jaws, right off the coast of Maui.
The record was broken with a wave that measured a whopping 19.2 m (63 ft) from trough to crest.
Originally from North Narrabeen, Australia, Laura always loved the ocean: she started her career at only 11, and she always knew the sea was going to be her vocation.
She became the ASP Women's World Junior Champion in 2009.
In 2011, she made her professional debut and started to rack up victory after victory, consistently finishing in the Top 10 of the women's Championship Tour.
"I would never be in this position if it wasn't for all the big wave surfers who have come before me and paved the way, especially the really brave, courageous females who have always inspired me and made me feel like I could get out there and give it a crack," Laura declared to the WSL.
So thank you to all the amazing women, and I'm just constantly in awe.
After spending the majority of her life in the Olympus of female surfing and topping every chart in the women’s Championship Tours, today Laura crowns her amazing career with a coveted world record.
We salute her officially amazing feat, and can’t help but look at her feat in admiration while she continues to paddle into giant waves.
“I've worked my whole life to be a professional surfer and to be on the World Tour,” Laura said to the WSL after being awarded with her official certificate in her hometown.
I was there and I gave that up for this pull and urge to surf big waves. I was just thinking I just wanted to go do this for me, and to be here today and to have a Guinness World Records title for the biggest paddle, I can't believe it.
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