Laura Enever sets record, paddles into largest wave by a woman – 43.6ft in Hawaii.
Australian surfer Laura Enever made history by setting a world record for paddling into the largest wave ever ridden by a woman. This extraordinary achievement occurred in January at the Himalayas in Oahu, Hawaii, where the 31-year-old fearlessly conquered a colossal 43.6ft (13.3m) wave, surpassing the previous record by a mere foot.
Paddling-in, as distinct from tow-ins, requires surfers to enter waves unassisted. Guinness World Records officially recognized Enever’s accomplishment at a ceremony in her hometown, Narrabeen, Sydney, where she began her surfing journey at the age of 11. After a successful junior career and seven years on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, Enever transitioned to pursuing big waves.
Reflecting on her record-breaking experience, Enever described the wave as “the wave of my life.” The accomplishment was captured on video and meticulously verified by Guinness World Records. WSL chief of sport Jessi Miley-Dyer praised Enever’s fearless and inspiring achievement, highlighting the significance of this historic moment.
Layne Beachley, a seven-time world surfing champion, also commended Enever’s extraordinary accomplishment. She emphasized the rarity and difficulty of paddling into such massive waves, noting that while she had been towed into a couple of 50ft waves, paddling into a 15ft wave was an exceptional feat.
While the men’s record for paddle-in waves is held by Hawaii’s Aaron Gold, who rode a 63ft wave in 2016, the overall record for the biggest wave surfed belongs to German surfer Sebastian Steudtner, who was towed into an 86ft monster in 2020. Enever’s achievement adds another remarkable chapter to the world of big wave surfing, showcasing her courage and skill in the face of nature’s formidable forces.
