SPORT The best surf spots according to Maya Gabeira & Kai Lenny
3 min
These are the legends of the ocean. One braved towering waves to set world records and pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the sea. The other is considered the finest waterman of his generation, excelling in everything from surfing to kiteboarding, windsurfing, and standup paddle, where he’s a multiple world champion. The first is Maya Gabeira. The other, Kai Lenny. Together, they embody the spirit of TAG Heuer, and we’re proud to call these extraordinary athletes our ambassadors. The Edge Magazine investigated to find out their favorite surf spots (and the most important for them).
Maya Gabeira
Arpoador Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Maya Gabeira learned to surf at 14 in 2003 at Arpoador Beach, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. It’s no surprise that she feels a deep connection to this Brazilian city.
“It took me a month to stand up properly,” she explains. Her future later proved to us that determination and the will to pursue one’s dreams can lead to achieving great things.
Waimea Bay, Hawaii – USA
Waimea Bay is one of the world’s most famous big wave spots. Here on Oahu’s North Shore, waves towering up to 50 feet crash against the coast, attracting the boldest surfers. Among them is Maya Gabeira, a five-time Billabong XXL Award winner for “Best Female Surfer.” “That’s where it all started, and I love how it’s still possible to paddle into those waves, even when they are huge. I feel pretty intimate with the wave. I’m just so happy when it’s big,” she shared.
Kai Lenny
Jaws, Hawaii – USA
Born and raised in Maui, Hawaii, Kai Lenny has spent a lifetime mastering the island’s legendary waves. The biggest wave he’s ever ridden came at Jaws, the very spot where he made his debut on the WSL Big Wave Tour as a local wildcard. “I remember seeing the wave, being in the back of a jet ski getting towed up, and then letting go knowing this was probably going to be the biggest wave that I ever rode.”, he said in an interview. “When it ended, I had a feeling of ‘I’m so bummed it’s over,’ because you never know when you’re going to get an 80-foot wave ever again. It could be a year, it could be five years, who knows?”
Pipeline, Hawaii – USA
Back in Hawaii, Pipeline is an essential pilgrimage for any big wave surfer. Despite experiencing a recent wipeout here, Kai Lenny knows this iconic break like the back of his hand. It’s where he’s honed his craft, mastering the fierce and unpredictable waves that make Pipeline legendary.
Maya Gabeira
Nazaré – Portugal
Nazaré holds a special place in Maya’s heart. On October 28, 2013, she nearly lost her life here while attempting to break the world record for the largest wave ever surfed by a woman. But Maya is nothing if not resilient. “I moved permanently to Nazare in 2015 to pursue my dream of creating the World Record. I did so in 2018 with a 68ft wave and later in 2020 i broke my own record and surfed a 73,5ft wave that was the biggest wave ridden that year between male and female a first in my sport”, as she explains. Remarkable.
Kai Lenny
Nelscott Reef: Lincoln City, Oregon – USA
When he’s not riding the waves back home, Kai Lenny loves to tackle some of the United States’ other big wave spots. One of his favorites is Nelscott Reef, the only place on Oregon’s coast where conditions are ideal for serious big wave surfing.
Maya Gabeira
Mavericks, California – USA
Mavericks is California’s answer to Nazaré. It produces some of the most formidable and treacherous waves in the world—precisely the kind Maya Gabeira craves. “The waves are amazing, but I still suck out there. It’s way too cold for me”, she admitted. “When I go, I instantly freeze. Also, the shape of the wave is difficult–I’m goofy (right foot forward on the board), and riding it backside makes it so much harder. It’s very technically challenging.”
These spots reflect the unshakeable will to improve that drives Maya Gabeira and Kai Lenny. These champions embody the courage and determination that characterize the ocean’s greatest. Thanks to their robustness and water resistance, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date is their ideal companion, designed to take on the challenge of navigating massive waves.
