PalCinema Review: Maya & the Wave
Awe-inspiring cinematography highlights this documentary about surfer Maya Gabeira
May 5, 2025
FILM: MAYA & THE WAVE
DIRECTED BY: STEPHANIE JOHNES
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
I love documentaries which shed light on people who do amazing things that we so rarely hear about in mainstream media. Maya & the Wave is a film I first saw as part of a festival a few years ago from Stephanie Johnes. Now receiving a special livestream on June 7, it follows one incredible woman’s journey to score a world record in big-wave surfing. Maya Gabeira is a Brazilian born surfer who felt as a child that she didn’t belong anywhere. That is, until she started carrying around a surfboard and began a sport which would take her to competitions around the world.
Johnes compiles raw footage of some of Maya’s training and early successes. By the early 2010s she was winning awards as a world champion female big wave surfer. The film documents the lack of acceptance by men in the sport who have often viewed women as not skilled enough to compete. Then the worse happens: she’s injured in a major surfing accident that almost kills her. What follows is extreme pain, spinal surgeries, emotional waves, and a loss of sponsorships. Essentially she is told to stop and relax. However, Maya refuses to give up. She admits on camera that she has fears of drowning and yet, being a woman who always has loved thrills and adrenaline rushes, she perseveres.
Maya’s story is certainly inspiring to see as she climbs her way back to the top of waves off the coast of Portugal. As viewers, we are treated to some awe-inspiring shots of these mammoth walls of waves. Some shots are achieved from a distance on land and others are captured via drones. Some cameras are even perched right on her surfboard. It is these shots that will likely captivate viewers most. They are quite spectacular and rarely have we seen such intense natural beauty on screen.
It’s interesting to also see the wide team of people in the water there to help Maya as she makes her various attempts at breaking a record. I was unfamiliar with how such competitions play out and the film provides us with plenty of footage of all the work involved. If I had any quibble with the film it is perhaps its lack of details on how surfers prevent drowning or serious injuries.
However, this is a minor concern. The film not only offers some incredible shots of waves most of us will never experience in person but also a portrait of a very brave woman who has suffered a series of disappointments but still strives to get her well-deserved due.
Maya & the Wave will premiere online at 2 PM (CT) June 7th, followed by a Q&A hosted by executive producer Rashida Jones. The film will only be available for a rewatch for 72 hours. For more information go to https://veeps.com/mayaandthewave/d1349ec2-833a-4ec3-aeac-0b4cc0055749.
What’s your relationship with surfing…or massive waves??
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Sounds awesome to watch. Not sure I can catch it when it streams but I will.chrck it out. You know I love my time in the ocean scuba diving.
I am so far behind with all my people I follow that I missed any opportunity to see the film. That said, I'd like to tell you what a wonderful writer and reviewer you are. Your own words actually made me want to see the film, even though I have no interest whatsoever in surfing or surfers. Great write-up. I'll try not to miss the next one! Owe you ,more pictures too!