In November of 2014, when she was just 16 years old, Mahina Maeda was “tricked” into surfing XXL Nazaré. How, you ask? All it took was a white lie from Garrett McNamara, then Maeda found herself hurtling down the face of a 30-footer.
“I wanted to try but I was too scared to say, ‘let’s do it,’” Maeda explained. “Uncle Garrett decided to tell me that my dad told me to catch a wave. I should’ve known it was not true. [Laughs.] Long story short, he tricked me into catching a wave, and I got towed into the biggest wave of my life. [It] felt like going down a roller coaster and not being able to scream. After my two rides I was addicted.”
That was nearly a year to the day after Brazilian surfer and female big-wave pioneer Maya Gabeira almost died at the same spot. (Gabeira went on to snag a world record for the largest wave ridden by a woman in 2018.) But Maeda was on a high after winning the World Junior Championships in nearby Ericeira, Portugal. So, after the comp, she decided to stop by Nazaré — and it turned out to be one helluva way to celebrate.
Since then, Maeda’s been grinding on the WQS with hopes of making the CT – and also a spot on Japan’s Olympic surf team for 2021 (she grew up in Hawaii, but holds dual citizenship with Japan). To hear more about this rising star, magicseaweed’s Jason Lock gave her a ring. Check out her Nazaré bomb and their chat below.
Tell us a bit about yourself, where did you grow up and where did you learn to surf?
My name is Mahina Maeda, I am 22 years old, and I was born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu. I live at Sunset Beach, Hawaii and part time in Chigasaki, Japan. Both my parents are Japanese, and I can speak English and Japanese. My dad taught me how to surf I think at either Sunset or Haleiwa.
How’d that trip to Nazaré come about?
I was 16 at that time. It was my first WSL World Junior title at Ericeira, Portugal. They ended up finishing the contest early. And I was traveling with the boys who were staying with my dad and I [Barron Mamiya and Kaulana Apo].
We wanted to do some surfing and sightseeing and to go see my uncle Garrett McNamara. Uncle Garrett used to be tow partners with my dad. It was more like a reunion at first…until we decided to go surf it. The second day was huge and the boys were doing step offs. Eventually it got bigger. Long story short, he tricked me into catching a wave, and I got towed into the biggest wave of my life.
He tricked you? How?
First, I was confused. Then after watching the boys on the backup ski, I felt comfortable in a way. I wanted to try but I was too scared to say, ‘let’s do it.’ Uncle Garrett decided to tell me that my dad told me to catch a wave. I should’ve known it was not true. [Laughs.]
Sitting in the Nazaré lineup felt almost a little eerie, but in a good way. And going down the biggest wave felt like going down a roller coaster and not being able to scream. After my two rides I was addicted.
Maeda, earlier this year, competing in the Corona Open China where she finished 9th. Photo: WSL/Tim Hain
Would you consider yourself a big-wave surfer?
I wouldn’t say so. It’s been a while since I caught a wave like that. Any true big-wave surfer would have to do it consistently. But with the world on hold, I find myself exploring that area again.
What type of waves do you like surfing?
Lefts…I think being on the QS, I am so sick of going right. I still do like certain rights though, like Haleiwa or Honolua. But I do like punchier waves and waves with long walls like Fiji and Rockies.
Talk about the Olympics – you’re hoping to compete as part of the Japan team and not the US, why’s that?
Honestly, leaving the Hawaiian flag was really hard. Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing and I am super proud of being born and raised here. Having the Hawaiian flag next to your name gives you a great sense of pride. I learned how to surf here in Hawaii and you see that mana. Being that I have dual nationality with America and Japan, it was a hard choice to make.
Ultimately, I chose Japan. Japan has the samurai or warrior feeling and humbling attitude, so having both backgrounds gives me great spiritual strength. I have tremendous pride in being both Japanese and Hawaiian. Going to the Olympics would be a great accomplishment and I do feel that I’d be representing both my nationalities. But first and foremost, I want to qualify for the tour. If I do get the chance to do the Olympics, I will work super hard to represent.
What do you think about surfing in the Olympics in general?
When I think of sports, it’s the Olympics. I think surfing being part of the Olympics will be beneficial to our sport. For years, surfing was considered more of a hobby, but I think it will open up our viewers and help them really appreciate our sport.
“Being that I have dual nationality with America and Japan, it was a hard choice to make. I have tremendous pride in being both Japanese and Hawaiian.”
Have you surfed Shidashita, the Olympic site in Japan? How is it?
Yes, and uh…it’s an okay wave. The wave fluctuates a lot with the tide and swell. It’s not the worst wave, but it also isn’t the best. The good thing is, it’s a very consistent wave for Japan. Japan really relies on typhoons. But this spot is breaking in some way all the time. And all the Japanese guys are always out there – whether it’s one inch to four-foot and over.
For young women looking to make a career out of pro surfing, what advice would you give them?
Don’t read the comments on social media. [Laughs.] I would say work hard and stand your ground. A woman can be that one person to watch out for in the lineup. In a good way. But that doesn’t mean to burn people or snake people. It means to act strong and be respectful. And people will realize that you’re not some random person.
Do you think there’s more the industry can do to better support female athletes?
I am fortunate to have great outside the industry sponsors, but I think some of the ladies struggle to get solid support sometimes. The WSL initiative of equal pay is a great step in the right direction.
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Lastly, we heard you’ve been giving Jordy Smith some training tips using Ginastica Natural techniques – tell us about that.
I decided to get my Ginastica Natural trainer’s license at 18. My mentor, coach, hanai dad Kid Peligro works and teaches at Sunset Beach Jiu Jitsu. But before that I trained with him for two years. So, these past four years I have been working alongside him. We’ve had some incredible athletes come and train. And Jordy being one of them.
This interview first ran on magicseaweed.
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