Mercedes Maidana has a unique story. Unlike most surfers, she grew up nowhere near the ocean. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, she was a normal city girl living the cosmopolitan life until age 20, when she visited Brazil and surfed for the first time. From there, she traded in her high heels and makeup for wetsuits and sunblock. She ditched the city and began traveling the globe looking for waves. Like many surfers, she ended up in Hawaii.
Once settled on the North Shore of Oahu, she began to feel the lure of big waves. That initial pull of conquering a big wave has now become the passion of her life. Besides world famous big wave spots on Oahu such as Sunset and Waimea Bay, she has ridden Jaws, Mavericks, Puerto Escondido, Nelscott Reef and El Buey.
Constantly training to stay in top shape to endure the power of the ocean, she has the right mind-set to achieve all of her goals. Her efforts earned her back to back nominations as a finalist for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Billabong XXL Awards in the Girls Overall Performance category. Throughout her journey, she has remained humble and eager to learn from others who have put their time in before her. Always respectful of fellow surfers and of the ocean, she has put her heart and soul into learning to ride big waves. The sky is the limit for Mercedes. 2012 should see her continuing her journey in Hawaii as well as at other big wave spots all over the world.
Mercedes has the support of Patagonia, FCD Surfboards, Wavetribe, Future Fins, GoPro and Bikram Yoga North Shore.
About
Mercedes © Gregg Miller
Mercedes Maidana has a unique story. Unlike most surfers, she grew up nowhere near the ocean. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, she was a normal city girl living the cosmopolitan life until age 20, when she visited Brazil and surfed for the first time. From there, she traded in her high heels and makeup for wetsuits and sunblock. She ditched the city and began traveling the globe looking for waves. Like many surfers, she ended up in Hawaii.
Once settled on the North Shore of Oahu, she began to feel the lure of big waves. That initial pull of conquering a big wave has now become the passion of her life. Besides world famous big wave spots on Oahu such as Sunset and Waimea Bay, she has ridden Jaws, Mavericks, Puerto Escondido, Nelscott Reef and El Buey.
Constantly training to stay in top shape to endure the power of the ocean, she has the right mind-set to achieve all of her goals. Her efforts earned her back to back nominations as a finalist for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Billabong XXL Awards in the Girls Overall Performance category. Throughout her journey, she has remained humble and eager to learn from others who have put their time in before her. Always respectful of fellow surfers and of the ocean, she has put her heart and soul into learning to ride big waves. The sky is the limit for Mercedes. 2012 should see her continuing her journey in Hawaii as well as at other big wave spots all over the world.
Mercedes has the support of Patagonia, FCD Surfboards, Wavetribe, Future Fins, GoPro and Bikram Yoga North Shore.
https://twitter.com/#!/MaidanaMercedes