Plot Synopsis

Directed and executive produced by filmmaker Chris Smith, 100 FOOT WAVE is a documentary series that captures the decade-long odyssey of surfing pioneer Garrett McNamara, who, after visiting Nazare, Portugal in hopes of conquering a 100-foot wave, pushed the sport to ever-greater heights and, alongside locals, helped transform the small fishing village into the world's preeminent big-wave surfing destination. Episodes include:

"Chapter 1: Sea Monsters" (Sunday, July 18, 2021): Following a massive win at a competition at Maui's world-famous Jaws surf break in 2003, professional surfer Garrett McNamara comes out of retirement to pursue his lifelong dream of riding a 100-foot wave. In 2010, Garrett and his wife Nicole invite fellow big wave surfers to Nazare, Portugal, where the monstrous, untapped waves just might help McNamara achieve the impossible.

"Chapter 2: We're Not Surfers" (Sunday, July 25, 2021): Despite unexpected setbacks during their second season in Nazare, Garrett catches a wave that changes everything.

"Chapter 3: Mavericks" (Sunday, August 1, 2021): Brazilian surfers new to Nazare fail to heed safety advice, while Garrett's own appearance at a big wave competition takes a devastating turn.

"Chapter 4: Dancing with God" (Sunday, August 8, 2021): In 2017, Nazare's largest swell to date paves the way for a broken record -- and a broken back.

"Chapter 5: The Circus" (Sunday, August 15, 2021): After the World Surf League announces that Nazare will host an upcoming big wave competition, athletes from around the globe arrive to participate in the tournament. But as the event grows in scope, so do Garrett's concerns over the proposed safety protocols. Later, the world-class surfers prepare for some of the largest, most unpredictable waves they've ever seen.

"Chapter 6: More Than Just a Wipeout" (Sunday, August 22, 2021): In front of thousands of spectators, the WSL's Tow Surfing Challenge comes to an abrupt end after one competitor suffers a serious injury. As the surfers process the news, they reflect on their tremendous love, fear, and awe of their unpredictable sport. Later, after sitting out the contest, Garrett puts his own injuries behind him and gets back in the water.
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The sophomore season of 100 FOOT WAVE debuted on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT on HBO. Directed and executive produced by filmmaker Chris Smith, the new season returns to Nazare, Portugal -- with stops in Hawaii and California -- for while following big wave legend Garrett McNamara, his world-class surfing peers, and some surprising newcomers as they continue to push the boundaries of their sport and the limits of their minds and bodies. As much a story of personal relationships, longing, fear, and love, the series spans the '20/'21 and '21/'22 big wave seasons which began with the uncertainties of life under COVID-19 and ended with some of the largest swells of the surfers' careers. The one constant for these extreme athletes is contending with the highs and lows of their perilous and unpredictable lifestyle in which every big wave has the potential to write a dramatic new chapter in their personal stories. Featured participants include surfers Garrett McNamara, his wife Nicole McNamara and their children; Andrew "Cotty" Cotton, Justine Dupont, Fred Davis, C.J. Macias. Antonio "Tony" Laureano, Kai Lenny, Lucas "Chumbo" Chianca, Ian Cosenza, Michelle Des Bouillons, Alemao De Maresias, Nic Van Rupp, Pedro "Scooby" Vianna. Season 2 episodes include:

"Chapter I: Epsilon" (Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 8pm): At the start of the new big wave season in October 2020, Hurricane Epsilon brings huge swells to Nazare and the biggest names in surfing congregate to battle for the largest wave, including Garrett, McNamara, Andrew "Cotty" Cotton, Justine Dupont, and youngster Tony Laureano. As thousands of spectators line the cliffs, the waters become dangerously choked with surfers and jet skis.

"Chapter II: The Circus is Burning" (Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 8pm): Portugal's National Health Commission closes down all surfing due to Covid protocols, stranding the surfers for several weeks. Ramon Laureano, Tony's father and tow partner, watches his son evolve as a big wave surfer. Garrett McNamara leaves town as he and others contend with their inability to surf waves in Nazare.

"Chapter III: Jaws" (Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 8pm): Justine Dupont chases a swell in the Pacific at Mavericks, and then at Jaws in Hawaii, where three years earlier she suffered the biggest injury of her career. Returning to Maui, Dupont faces her fears and surprises even herself. Garrett McNamara's brother-in-law C.J. Macias and superstar Kai Lenny also have successful runs at Jaws, while McNamara is not so lucky.

"Chapter IV: Partners" (Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 8pm): In the fall of 2021 and the start of the new big wave season, Garrett McNamara is now the director of the World Surf League's Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazare, but eight-month pregnant Nicole McNamara and their young children fall ill with COVID-19, complicating his preparations and the plans for the birth. When the competition begins in December, Tony Laureano isn't invited to participate with the best in class. For the surfers competing, challenging conditions and terrifying wipeouts highlight the importance of their relationships with jet ski pilots who are also rescuers. Nicole McNamara gives birth to baby Fe.

"Chapter V: Lost At Sea" (Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 8pm): The huge swells at Nazare continue to challenge and confound the best surfers in the world, and several dramatic rescues take place close to the perilous rocks. At the Gigantes De Nazare event in January 2022, several wipeouts and close calls threaten lives, as danger is narrowly averted by acts of heroism and strength. Nicole McNamara's brother, C.J. Macias, catches an enormous wave, but then disaster strikes.

"Chapter VI: Force Majeure" (Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 8pm): In the aftermath of his accident, C.J. Macias contemplates his relationship with big wave surfing, as does Andrew "Cotty" Cotton. While Cotty places in the second WSL contest of the season, Tony Laureano finally gets the opportunity to compete as Justine Dupont's partner. Results are disappointing for the duo, but Laureano gets another chance to shine in Spain. Garrett McNamara takes his six-year-old son Barrel into the waves at Nazare for the first time, while still chasing his dream of the 100 foot wave.