In a post on instagram she said “It’s been 20 years of surfing big waves and I’m finally ready to step away from professional surfing and big-wave surfing and find something else,” said the 37-year-old big-wave pioneer. “It has served me a purpose. When I started this life, you know, it was unthinkable that a woman would be competing with men and that a woman would surf the biggest wave of the year.
There are so many women charging these days. I’m very proud and very honored to have been part of the transformation in this industry, in this sport, and this lifestyle.”
Maya, who was once advised by two very famous surfers not to take on the big waves, has held two Guinness world records, five Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards, and the WSL’s XXL Biggest Wave Award.
In 2013 she suffered a horrendous wipeout at Nazare, where she broke her ankle and was knocked unconscious was dragged from the sea and revived. She then had three spine surgeries and five years of rehab before fully recovering and going back out to charge the infamous peaks.