UPDATE! The awesomeness that is Maya Gabeira has responded to our piece (below) on her facebook with these totally classy, professional and fully inspiring words:
Thank you all for such amazing support!!!!! Its hard when one of the biggest names in the sport goes out on national TV to discredit you and your tow partner.But its in times like this that you have to filter peoples opinions, and stick to what you believe its truth. I respect Laird as an athlete and also deeply admire him as an athlete, but if he knew me better or if he knew the waves and conditions we faced that day maybe i would have taken his criticism more seriously.
Last week we reported on Laird Hamilton’s not massively classy comments on Maya Gabeira’s near drowning experience at Nazare Portugal in which he said:
Maya Gabeira doesn’t have the skills to be in these kinds of conditions. She shouldn’t be in this kind of surf.
We asked what you thought and you responded with overwhelming support for Maya Gabeira and more than a little beef with Laird!
Pro snowboarders even weighed in with Anne Flore Marxer saying: “ffff…as always more sexist shit…” and Leanne Pelosi saying: “old and bitter Laird”
We especially liked this totally non-gendered comment on the site from Chloe: “She ventured into the unknown and came through the other side. Somebody’s got to do it.” Keep charging Maya you rule!