Laura Enever Rides the Wave of Glory Officially Recognized World Record for Giant Wave Surfing
Australian surfer Laura Enever is now officially recognized for breaking a world record by paddling into the largest wave ever conquered by a woman. Guinness World Records and the World Surf League (WSL) have verified the size of the impressive 13.3-meter (about 43.6-foot) wave she surfed in Hawaii on January 22.
Reflecting on her achievement, Enever expressed, “I knew it was the wave of my life, the whole way it all came together and the way I committed, backed myself, told myself to go and trusted I could do it. The ride was such a breakthrough for me and a moment that will be really special and monumental in my surf career. To get awarded this months later is really cool, I can’t believe it.”
Paddling-in, where surfers enter waves unassisted, distinguishes this achievement from being towed-in by a jet-ski. The previous record, set eight years ago by professional surfer Andrea Moller, was a 12.8-meter (about 42-foot) wave, also in Hawaii.
Enever, 31, expressed gratitude to the female surfers who paved the way for her success, aiming to inspire the next generation of girls in the sport. She acknowledged Andrea Moller, the previous record holder, stating, “Andrea Moller held this record before me, and it’s an honor to hold that 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 Enever, starting her surfing journey at the age of 11, achieved World Junior Champion status in 2009 and later competed on the WSL Championship Tour for seven years. She continues to challenge herself in WSL Big Wave events.
WSL Chief of Sport Jessi Miley-Dyer congratulated Enever, highlighting her fearlessness, commitment, and inspiration to others. The overall record for the largest paddle-in surfed wave was set by Aaron Gold in 2016, and Germany’s Sebastian Steudtner holds the record for the biggest wave ever surfed, a colossal 26.21-meter (about 86-foot) wave in 2020.
