Not Your Average Maui Ripper  - Stab Mag

Live Now — New Episode Of How Surfers Get Paid — Agents & Managers

2350 Views

Not Your Average Maui Ripper 

Braiden Maither could hardly walk a few years ago. Now, he’s back to his routine.

elsewhere // Apr 7, 2022
Words by August Howell
Reading Time: < 1 minute

At first glance, Braiden Maither seems like yet another uber-talented Maui surfer. 

He excels in windy, rampy lefts, prefers surfing by said lefts by himself, dreams of Indonesia, and if he won the lottery he’d go in on NFTs and Bitcoin (and use the rest to make a surf movie). You know, standard millennial stuff. 

But the Hawaiian’s story is far from standard. He had to overcome a serious challenge most of us will never face. A few years ago at age 18, he was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a rare and crippling form of arthritis in the spine. The man could barely walk, let alone thread the kegs he was accustomed to. The doctors said he might never surf again. 

It was a hail mary, but Braiden is used to landing those. Despite the long odds and years of work and recovery, Braiden is still here kicking, laughing and surfing. He’s now got support from Manera, and based on the video above, it looks like that PT is paying off. 

Get inspired and watch Manera welcome Braiden to the team. Video directed and edited by Liam Conrad.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Five (More) Shapers To Watch In The Next 10 Years

An appendix to our list of blossoming board builders.

Jul 30, 2025

Can Matt Biolos Actually Win Against Gaga?

Gaga responds, and IP lawyer reacts to the now-infamous "Mayhem" case.

Jul 29, 2025

30-Minutes Of Freshly Pioneered Waves In The Canadian Wilderness

"Some fisherman texted us a blurry photo of a wave kinda barreling. So we flew…

Jul 29, 2025

Why Are Great White Sharks Beaching Themselves In South Australia?

A dystopian algal bloom is suffocating god's country — surfers are fighting back.

Jul 27, 2025

Jacob Willcox Walked 130km Along The WA Coastline In Search Of Tube Time & Connection To Country

‘Cape 2 Cape’ on Wadandi Boodja.

Jul 27, 2025

Erin Brooks Is Just Doing It

Nike slides back into surfing’s DMs, signs Erin Brooks on multi-year (non surfing) deal.

Jul 26, 2025

Is the World Ready for a Younger, Hotter Steve Irwin?

"Snakes and Surf Breaks" — starring Luka Raubenheimer and Jaleesa Vincent — is a breath…

Jul 25, 2025

How Surfers Get Paid: Season 2, Episode 8

Agents & Managers.

Jul 24, 2025

Leaked: …Lost’s Full Lawsuit Against Lady Gaga

Mayhem in the courts!

Jul 24, 2025

Stab Interview: Connor O’Leary

On waxing World Champs at Jbay, staying humble + the inner workings of the Dog…

Jul 24, 2025

Does Indonesia Have A Crocodile Problem?

“We know why no one's talking about it — it’s bad for business.” - Martin…

Jul 22, 2025

12-Year-Old Wins Teahupo’o Trials, Set To Become Youngest CT Competitor Ever

+ Medina’s wildcard request gets denied, as Kauli and Vahine rise to disrupt the crown.

Jul 22, 2025

Watch: Mission Control by Octopus

Featuring Dion Agius, Harry Bryant, Kael Walsh, Chippa Wilson, Micky Clarke, Rasta Robb, Ian Crane,…

Jul 22, 2025

A World-Class Surfer From The UK?

Once the punchline, now throwing knockout punches — Lukas Skinner may be British surfing’s great…

Jul 20, 2025

Official: All Businesses On Bingin Cliff Set To Be Demolished

Cliffside warungs face the wrecking ball tomorrow, amid rising fears of Bingin’s privatisation.

Jul 20, 2025

Royalties, Equity, and YouTube: Brandon Wasserman on Surfing’s New Economy

“If you’re taking those kinds of swings, you could be walking away from a lot…

Jul 19, 2025

So, Who’s Gonna Make The Final Five?

One event to go. We did the math so you don't have to.

Jul 18, 2025

Power Surfing Isn’t Dead

Connor O'Leary & Gabriela Bryan assert their strength at rifling J-Bay, win their first and…

Jul 18, 2025
Advertisement