Maria Ignacia Valdes isn’t a household name when it comes to big wave surfing. But the South American charger quietly goes about her business of surfing some of the world’s hairiest waves, routinely sticking late drops like the one above, and blowing the minds of everyone that surfs with her.
This particular wave at Punta de Lobos, Chile, happened on July 19th. Maria found herself looking at the wave of the day–but she was just a little too deep. Instead of backing off, she committed and stuck one of those drops that will stick with her for the rest of her life. Now it’s an entry into the Billabong Ride of the Year category.
