search person
close

Aussie pro-surfer Laura Enever smashes record for biggest wave surfed

By Eleonora Pilastro
Published

Pro-surfer Laura Enever (Australia) conquered the wave of a lifetime and broke the record for the largest wave surfed paddle-in (female)

The crest of the wave that the 31-year old surfer rode on the Outer Reef, Oahu, Hawaii, USA, reached an incredible 13.3 m (43.6 ft). 

A giant dressed in crisp blue, rolling forth with a brute force that roared in Laura’s ears. 

After careful analysis and following the measurements carried out by the World Surf League, it was confirmed that the feat was indeed record breaking. 

Originally from North Narrabeen, Australia, Laura always loved the ocean: she started her career at only 11, and she always knew the sea was going to be her vocation. 

She became the ASP Women's World Junior Champion in 2009.

In 2011, she made her professional debut and started to rack up victory after victory, consistently finishing in the Top 10 of the women's Championship Tour.

"I would never be in this position if it wasn't for all the big wave surfers who have come before me and paved the way, especially the really brave, courageous females who have always inspired me and made me feel like I could get out there and give it a crack," Laura declared to the WSL. 

So thank you to all the amazing women, and I'm just constantly in awe. 


After spending the majority of her life in the Olympus of female surfing and topping every chart in the women’s Championship Tours, today Laura crowns her amazing career with a coveted world record. 

We salute her officially amazing feat, and can’t help but look at her feat in admiration while she continues to paddle into giant waves.

“I've worked my whole life to be a professional surfer and to be on the World Tour,” Laura said to the WSL after being awarded with her official certificate in her hometown. 

I was there and I gave that up for this pull and urge to surf big waves. I was just thinking I just wanted to go do this for me, and to be here today and to have a Guinness World Records title for the biggest paddle, I can't believe it. 

Want more? Follow us on Google News and across our social media channels to stay up-to-date with all things Guinness World Records! You can find us on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, ThreadsTikTok, LinkedIn, and Snapchat Discover.

Don't forget to check out our videos on YouTube and become part of our group chat by following the Guinness World Records WhatsApp channel.

Still not had enough? Click here to buy our latest book, filled to the brim with stories about our amazing record breakers.