100 Foot Wave

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100 Foot Wave remains one of the most compelling documentary series in years. Stunning cinematography, complicated personalities, global travel, and authentic human stories.

100 Foot Wave remains one of the most compelling documentary series in years. Stunning cinematography, complicated personalities, global travel, and authentic human stories.

The 100 Foot Wave on HBO/Max is nothing short of a tidal force in documentary storytelling—a breathtaking, heart-pounding exploration of ambition, obsession, and the raw power of nature 🌊.

Set primarily on the cliffs of Nazaré, Portugal—and now spreading to iconic surf legends like Cortes Bank, Mavericks, and Morocco—the series chronicles Garrett McNamara’s lifelong quest to conquer 100-foot waves. But this isn’t just a story about surfing; it’s a cinematic odyssey into human resilience. It’s about limelight and loneliness, triumph and fracture. It is deeply human, deeply elemental.

Director Chris Smith and his team—veterans of cinematic nonfiction—turn each episode into a visual feast. Expansive drone shots capture the immensity of the waves, while close-ups of McNamara and his fellow riders reveal souls in tension. The silence between storms, the audible thrum of boards, and the roar of impact are all immersive character moments .

Season 3 adds profound layers: McNamara is now not only chasing the dream, he’s contending with the toll on his mind and body—countless concussions, broken bones, and the emotional strain of legacy. We see a man realizing his limits, grappling with identity and loss, and sometimes choosing family over fame. It’s permission to slow down even when your heart and life are built on speed.

The cast of surfers—Cotty Cotton, Justine DuPont, Nic von Rupp among others—bring camaraderie, tension, joy, and heartbreak to the narrative. Their personalities and different approaches to risk illuminate what it means to chase the impossible.

Critically acclaimed—Emmy-winning cinematography, top ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic—and loved by viewers and sports fans alike, this isn’t just a surf series; it’s an emotional, philosophical journey. As one reviewer put it: “It’s absolutely gripping television … horror movie level frightening”.

If you crave storytelling that moves at the pace of a heartbeat—or the crash of a 100-foot wall of water—this is non-negotiable. The 100 Foot Wave is about courage, consequence, and the search for meaning in the face of overwhelming elements—and it will leave you breathless, shaken, and profoundly changed.

🔥 Must‑watch docuseries. Ride it.

Season 3 is epic… skip season 2 and put on season 3 if you’re interested in surfing or sports docs in general. And wow didn’t expect it to be some of the more emotionally powerful TV I’ve seen this year