Very few people on earth can surf colossal waves like the legendary Garrett McNamara. And even fewer share his ability to put the experience into words.
“It’s like getting in a race car, being followed by an avalanche, and driving as fast as you can down a muddy road,” Garrett explained during an appearance on the “HBO Doc Panel: 100 Foot Wave” portion of the screening and Panel Series Deadline FYC House + HBO Max. “That avalanche – you taunt it, for want of a better word, stay right under the avalanche and let it engulf you.”
Season 2 of the Emmy-winning series premieres Sunday night on HBO, with Garrett and his wife Nicole returning, along with many of the world’s top big wave surfers chasing the adrenaline rush of riding a giant wall of water. Much of the action again takes place in Nazaré, Portugal, which helped McNamara get on the map as a place with perhaps the world’s biggest waves.
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“We had faith in the idea that there was a lot more to do,” said director and executive producer Chris Smith of returning for a second season. “We’re only as good as the people who let us into their lives… They’re incredibly open with us and I think that’s what makes it so special.”
Season 1 was all about McNamara’s quest to surf the biggest wave in history. In Season 2, he plays a slightly more supportive role towards others who are keen to do the same.
“I’ve accomplished pretty much all of my goals and dreams, so I want to help everyone around me achieve theirs,” McNamara said. “I’m finally patient and don’t have to surf every wave.”
In Season 2, Garrett and Nicole welcome their third child, daughter Fe (pronounced “fay”; the Portuguese word for faith). Nicole literally gives birth on camera.
“I’m actually a very private person,” Nicole said, but noted that she still had “definitely no hesitation” in allowing cameras around her for this intimate moment. “Because my goal was to start with Season 1, if I did that, I would do it completely. I did not want to half Do it. …I just had to tell myself, I’m going to completely ignore the camera and do whatever I would normally do and not change anything I would say or do.”
This philosophy extended to the sharing of open human moments between wife and husband.
“Sometimes it frustrates Garrett because he’s like, ‘Don’t be so mad at me on camera.’ I say, ‘You asked me to document my life. So I’m going to keep it real,'” she said, to the amusement of the audience. Garrett joked about how he felt at the moment: “Don’t show the real stuff!”
Tony and Emmy winner Joe Lewis (fleasack) is an executive producer on the series. He became clingy 100 foot wave through a family connection.
“Nicole is my wife’s second cousin. And a few years ago, they just asked me for advice,” he said. “You asked me to join you. I was lucky enough to know Chris and asked him if he liked surfing. Turns out he didn’t, but it worked out anyway. I just follow my curiosity and love great artists. And like Garrett, I enjoy helping people achieve things. I like bringing good things into the world.”
Smith chimed in, “For the record, I like surfing now.”
Smith’s credits include the documentary series Bad veganthe documentation Fire about the ill-fated music festival and executive producer of the documentaries King of the Tigers. None of these projects necessarily showcase humanity at its best.
“I had spent a number of years doing some things that felt almost more negative,” Smith said. “Since doing this show, I’ve felt like doing more positive things. They both have their place, but it was very nice to live in this place because you spend so much time on these projects and I never get tired of visiting these people and this city [Nazaré] and those waves.”
As for the possibility of a third season, Smith says he’s ready for it.
“We’ll see,” he said, adding, “We’d love to do that. We’ll go as long as we can.”
Watch the conversation in the video above.