- WSL / Bruno Aleixo

HBO and Big Wave pioneer Garrett McNamara have teamed up to deliver the new, six-part documentary series "100 Foot Wave."

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Chris Smith and executive produced by Emmy and Golden Globe-winner Joe Lewis, the series chronicles the decade-long quest to ride the mythic 100-foot wave.

Covering the brutal lengths McNamara and his cadre of hard-charging local friends are willing to go to accomplish this never-been-done feat, it provides the kind of access and insight few outside of this close-knit community ever get to experience. 

Focusing on Nazare, one of the global hubs for the big wave community, the series is an up-and-down journey featuring some incredible moments, but also some near-death experiences.

In 2015, McNamara, a previous Guinness World Record holder for the largest wave ever surfed, almost lost his life trying to ride a 70-foot wave at Maverick's in Northern California. After suffering multiple broken bones in his arm and shoulder, doctors told him he may never surf again.

Undeterred, McNamara, supported by his wife Nicole, dedicated himself to recovering and getting back in the game. Just a few years later he found himself nominated for WSL Big Wave Ride of the year for his paddle barrel at Nazare on September 24, 2017.

Last winter, the North Atlantic Ocean produced a number of huge swells at Nazare, but none compared to the mega Hurricane Episolon super-swell. Was a 100-footer ridden on this day? Well, we'll just have to watch and find out.

"100 Foot Wave" premieres July 18, 2021, at 10:00pm E.T. on HBO and will stream on HBO Max. 

Nazar , Portugal : February 10  : Garrett McNamara during the Surfer's Meeting in the harbour of Nazar on February 10,  2020 in Nazar, Portugal.(Photo by Damien Poullenot/WSL via Getty Images) McNamara during the Surfer's Meeting in the harbour of Nazar, Portugal, on February 10, 2020. - WSL / Damien Poullenot
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