100 Foot Wave Comes to a Close
By Roxana Hadadi, a critic for Vulture specializing in television, film, and pop culture. She also serves as a juror for the Peabody Awards.
There’s a nostalgic, almost melancholic tone to the third season of 100 Foot Wave, which lends it a sense of closure-particularly for its central figure, Garrett McNamara. This season feels like a farewell, not just for him but for the series’ overarching narrative.
Warning: Spoilers follow for the concluding season of 100 Foot Wave, which aired on HBO and wrapped up on May 29, 2023.
Throughout this final chapter, viewers witness the seasoned surfers we’ve followed for years confronting the inevitable end of their careers in the ocean. The word finish is echoed repeatedly in conversations, as characters grapple with the question of when enough is truly enough. While HBO has yet to confirm a renewal, the season’s tone strongly suggests it might be the series’ swan song. For Garrett McNamara, whose pioneering efforts in big-wave surfing launched this entire movement, the season marks a poignant moment of acceptance-acknowledging that his body can no longer keep pace with the waves he once dominated. Watching him come to terms with this reality is heartbreaking, especially for a figure as complex and fiercely independent as McNamara. It elevates the show from a mere sports documentary to a profound exploration of identity and loss-what we become when our passions slip away.
The Archetype of the Aging Athlete
American storytelling has long chronicled the struggles of aging men: the veteran worker who finds himself obsolete, the businessman facing retirement, or the athlete confronting the limits of his body. Classic narratives-embodied by characters like Willy Loman, John Rooney, Don Draper, or Kenny Powers-highlight the difficulty of reinventing oneself outside the roles that once defined them. These stories resonate because they reveal a universal truth: the challenge of finding purpose beyond one’s prime. When viewed through the lens of sports, this theme becomes even more visceral, as physicality and self-identity are deeply intertwined. 100 Foot Wave‘s third season joins this tradition, echoing tales from Michael Jordan’s teammates describing his relentless competitive drive in The Last Dance, or fictional stories like Poker Face dedicating episodes to aging athletes facing obsolescence. The series underscores how success and specialization can lead to profound loneliness once the spotlight dims, leaving athletes to confront the emptiness that often follows their careers.
The Ocean as a Catalyst for Intensity and Reflection
The vastness of the ocean amplifies the stakes-its depths remain largely mysterious, and the surfers’ focus is often on the surface, where danger lurks. The thin line separating triumph from tragedy is vividly depicted through sweeping drone shots of surfers carving through monstrous waves and the frothy spray that splashes onto the camera lens. The series also updates the traditional male hero narrative by exploring McNamara’s evolving awareness of his place within the sport’s hierarchy. In previous seasons, younger surfers drawn to Nazaré, Portugal-where McNamara helped popularize the location-began to eclipse him, highlighting the generational shift. The third season, however, centers on McNamara’s introspection, not as a man overcoming his physical decline but as someone honoring his legacy. It’s a respectful acknowledgment of his achievements, coupled with the recognition of the sacrifices made by his family-time lost, relationships strained-while chasing the impossible dream of riding a 100-foot wave.
Confronting Mortality and the Cost of Passion
The season’s core is a meditation on grief, resilience, and the toll of relentless pursuit. McNamara’s candid admission of having suffered over 100 concussions, and his struggles with memory loss, are devastating. His wife Nicole’s stark response to a neurologist’s warning-that he might prefer death rather than continue surfing-cuts deep. As the season progresses, McNamara attempts to regain control: improving his fitness, reconnecting with loved ones, and volunteering to assist other surfers. Yet, the physical and emotional toll becomes increasingly apparent. His overzealousness with his children, pushing them into the sport, and his frustration when long-time friends like Andrew “Cotty” Cotton don’t perform to his standards, reveal a man desperately trying to outrun his own insignificance. The relentless march of time, the inevitable decline of the body, and the presence of younger competitors all threaten to render him obsolete. 100 Foot Wave makes these fears universally relatable-whether or not one has ever surfed, the anxiety of fading relevance resonates deeply.
The Community and the Spirit of Surfing
Amidst the somber reflections, the series also celebrates the camaraderie and enduring bonds within the surfing community. Moments of joy include the Brazilian team celebrating Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca’s young daughter’s first wave, or rookie surfer Luke Shepardson winning the prestigious Eddie Aikau Invitational in Hawaii. Conversely, the season also depicts poignant farewells-such as the breakup of the partnership between surfers Justine DuPont and Tony Laureano, or the mourning of Marcio Freire’s death in Nazaré in January 2023. The most daring sequence takes place 100 miles off the California coast at Cortes Bank, a remote and treacherous surf spot where the waves are so unpredictable that they seem to defy the laws of physics, reminiscent of scenes from Interstellar where Matthew McConaughey visits a wave planet. These moments underscore the profound connection surfers have with the ocean and each other, driven by a shared pursuit of the extraordinary.
The Humanity Behind the Legend
Garrett McNamara’s complex personality-sometimes a tough, even abrasive figure, but also a nurturing mentor-embodies the multifaceted nature of this community. Described by Justine DuPont as “the godfather of every surfer here,” he’s a figure who reaches out to help others, even as he battles his own demons. His self-loathing, occasional bursts of anger, and relentless drive are balanced by moments of tenderness and generosity. The series highlights how difficult it is to love someone like McNamara, who embodies both the thrill of the sport and its destructive potential. His wife Nicole’s candid insights reveal a man who is his own worst enemy-fascinating, flawed, and deeply human. 100 Foot Wave reminds us that the pursuit of greatness often comes with a heavy price, and that true understanding requires patience and compassion.
A Final Reflection: The End of an Era
The concluding episode, “Family Enterprise,” transports viewers from Hawaii to a quiet village in Montaldo, Italy, where McNamara and his family are building a new life. Engaged in simple chores-firewood, renovations-he appears content, a stark contrast to the adrenaline-fueled waves of Nazaré. Watching him spend Christmas with his loved ones, away from the ocean, encapsulates the central tension of the series: the difficulty of letting go of a defining identity. The image of McNamara monitoring a storm on his phone while his family celebrates around him encapsulates the emotional core of 100 Foot Wave: the challenge of surrendering one’s obsession for a more peaceful existence.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Balance and Humanity
Ultimately, the series underscores that surfing is a delicate dance between surrender and mastery-a balance that Garrett McNamara has personified throughout his career. As he steps back from the waves, the series invites viewers to reflect on the importance of self-awareness and acceptance. The best farewell may be to allow 100 Foot Wave to conclude on its own terms, honoring the man who inspired it and the sport that shaped him. In doing so, it leaves a lasting impression of resilience, community, and the enduring human spirit.
