After discovering Nazaré, Portugal’s monstrous swells, pro surfer Garrett McNamara sets out to achieve his dream of riding a 100-foot wave.
Despite unexpected setbacks during their second season in Nazaré, Garrett catches a wave that changes everything.
Brazilian surfers new to Nazaré fail to heed safety advice, while Garrett’s own appearance at a big wave competition takes a devastating turn.
In 2017, Nazaré’s largest swell to date paves the way for a broken record – and a broken back.
As the world's top surfers arrive in Nazaré for the WSL’s Tow Surfing Challenge, Garrett grows concerned over proposed safety measures.
After the WSL competition abruptly ends, the athletes reflect on their beloved, unpredictable sport. Garrett attempts to surf again.
After months of lockdown and global uncertainty, the 2020-21 big wave surfing season in Nazaré gets off to a roaring start with an unprecedented massive swell from Hurricane Epsilon. For the surfers, the stakes have never been higher as they battle to break the world record.
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 Nazaré.
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.
When the first WSL contest of the season approaches, Cotty grows cautiously optimistic about his future, while Tony’s hopes of participating are dashed. Meanwhile, after battling COVID, Garrett and Nicole prepare for the home birth of their baby.
Amid less-than-ideal conditions in Nazaré, Cotty has a harrowing experience in the water. Later, as he searches for inspiration to continue surfing, a newly reinvigorated CJ peaks just in time to compete in Gigantes de Nazaré. But the competition comes to an abrupt halt when CJ goes missing in the hazardous conditions.
In the wake of CJ’s frightening search and rescue, the surfers find themselves reflecting on the dangers of their sport. When another WSL contest in Nazaré is announced, Tony’s dreams of competing against the best in class are finally realized… then quickly fall apart. As for Garrett, the end of the surf season becomes a time to recalibrate his priorities.
After a startling realization about his health, Garrett returns to Nazaré, eager to get back to his peak performance. Meanwhile, Tony and Justine join forces following transformative times away from Portugal. But when the first big swell of the season hits and big wave hopefuls flood Nazaré, nothing goes as planned.
Garrett's wipeout leaves him seriously injured, with his neurological health at risk. His brother-in-law, CJ Macias, meanwhile, gets back on a board after recovering from his own significant accident, while Chumbo reflects on his surfing priorities now that he's a father. Just after Justine and Tony make a difficult decision about their partnership, a tragedy of the highest magnitude
Garrett, Nicole, Cotty, Justine, Chumbo and Nic set out on an overnight boat to Cortes Bank, an unusual and legendary surf spot in the open ocean 100 miles off the coast of San Diego, when a rare swell appears. For the big wave surfers, the opportunity represents a chance to get the waves of their lives. For Garrett, he must also contend with painful memories from his previous trip to the mythic – and dangerous – destination.
Top surfers from around the world flock to O'ahu for the prestigious Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational when the event is called for the first time in seven years. Justine Dupont, Lucas "Chumbo" Chianca, Kai Lenny, Nic von Rupp, and Landon McNamara are among those invited to compete. Garrett does not receive an invitation to participate, which ultimately causes him to reflect deeply on his life and surfing. Everyone celebrates the unexpected winner.
Following the Eddie, the McNamara's move to Montaldo, Italy for a fresh start. But just as Garrett begins to slow down in his new life away from the ocean, he hears of a perfect swell off the coast of Morocco and can't resist. Cotty and Chumbo join Garrett and his son Titus in Safi to chase the waves, while Justine, now pregnant, is unable to do what has long fueled her. When a new swell is forecasted at Mavericks, the decision to chase the ultimate wave is contemplated once more.
