Laura Enever: Surfer of the year, secretly eloped and chasing waves

After claiming the world record for the largest wave ever paddled into by a woman last year, Aussie big wave surfer Laura Enever said she hopes the record is broken soon, here’s why.

2024 was a huge year for Aussie big wave surfer Laura Enever, and she’s ready for more.

After claiming the world record for the largest wave ever paddled into by a woman in 2023, Enever doubted last year could surpass the achievement.

Defying her odds, the 33-year-old went on to claim Surfer of the Year at the 2024 SURFER Big Wave Challenge Awards, secretly elope, start a podcast and continued her search for big waves.

“I went into last year more driven and motivated than ever before,” Enever told Confidential.

Aussie big wave surfer Laura Enever has been announced as the newest ambassador for EVERAU. Picture: Supplied.,

“I just kept chasing the big wave dream and pushing myself in that area and took some waves off my bucket list that I never thought I would say I got to do.”

While the big wave surfer and new EVERAU brand ambassador’s world record still stands, Enever doesn’t mind if it goes to someone else.

“I would absolutely love to break it if I had a chance but I hope it also gets broken because you know that means that women are pushing the sport and you know that’s what makes it so incredible.

“I love nothing more than going out in the water and seeing more women out in big waves and all of us supporting each other. I hope it gets broken and then I hope I get the chance to try to break it again, so that’s another fun thing I’ll be focusing on next year,” she added.

Of all things Enever achieved, she said her secret elopement in Europe with partner and DJ Jake Smith, was the most special.

Surfer Laura Enever wedding to Jake Smith as seen on social media

“We were talking about it for a while and I’m terrible at planning so we went over to a spot we had been to a couple of years ago in Ibiza and just had the day of our life out on the water, out on this gorgeous boat.

“We’re still gonna have another party with our family and all our friends from home. We kind of got to have the best of both worlds, we got something really special just for us and then we still get our belated reception.”

As for now, Enever recently launched a podcast with fellow big wave surfer and good mate Felicity Palmateer called “In Deep”.

The World Surf League (WSL) announced in 2023 that Laura Enever (AUS, yellow surfboard taking off) set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Largest wave surfed paddle-in (female). Picture WSL/Hank Foto

“We kind of bring everyone along on the journey about the world and you know all the ups and downs that go along with it.”

The pair were the first two females from Australia invited into the Eddie Aikau prestigious big wave event where they were blessed at a ceremony in Hawaii.

“We’re just praying we get a chance like to surf in the event because you have to wait for a swell that’s big enough and the event doesn’t run every year so we’re both crossing our fingers and toes that 2025 is the year we get to actually put on the jersey and go out there and represent Australia.”

Enenver who kicked off the new year as EVERAU’s newest brand ambassador, is thrilled to partner with a brand that perfectly aligns with her relaxed, laid-back lifestyle.

“These slippers are super nostalgic for me, being a kid and just going down to the beach and being so cozy to now being able to wear these slippers every day is awesome,” Enever said.

“They are perfect for the gloomy cold mornings but also so many other things and they are super sahionable.”