Meet The McNamara’s, the first family of big wave surfing. Garrett McNamara is one of the world’s premier big wave surfers; wife Nicole is a top big wave spotter; Nicole’s brother CJ rides the big waves, too. Now, son Barrel is (perhaps) on the path following in dad’s footsteps. If season 1 of HBO’s enthralling docuseries “!00 Foot Wave” was all about the pursuit of that illusive triple digit milestone, season 2 digs deeper into the rich and complex personalities who make up the elite big wave surfing community.
Joining Ken to discuss season 2 is Executive Producer Joe Lewis (“Fleabag”, “Transparent”) – making his second appearance on Top Docs – and Nicole McNamara, one of the series’ featured participants. How did Joe and director Chris Smith (“Tiger King”, “American Movie”) go about choosing new people to feature in season 2? What was it like for Nicole to confront major health issues during a very difficult pregnancy while husband Garrett seemed more focused on the big waves than on her? And how did cinematographer Karl Sandrock become an adjunct member of this unique family?
“100 Foot Wave, Season 2” is currently streaming on Max.
After you enjoy our conversation, be sure to check out the HBO Original 100 Foot Wave Podcast, which features Nicole as host interviewing many of the series’ standout characters (Top Doc’s own Mike and Ken served as Consulting Producers).
Follow:
@JoeLewis on Instagram and twitter
@mcnamara_s on Instagram
@topdocspod on Instagram and twitter
The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.
”Hidden Letters” with Violet Du Feng
”House Made of Splinters” with Simon Lereng Wilmont
Sundance 2023 Lineup Rundown with Basil Tsiokos
2023 Oscar Shortlist with Anne Thompson
”Impact Filmmaking” with Chris Temple
”What We Leave Behind” with Iliana Sosa
”Retrograde” with Matthew Heineman
”I Didn’t See You There” with Reid Davenport
”Sr.” with Chris Smith
”Bad Axe” with David Siev
”Good Night Oppy” with Ryan White
”All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” with Laura Poitras
”In Her Hands” with Tamana Ayazi & Marcel Mettelsiefen
”Is that Black Enough for You?” with Elvis Mitchell
”All that Breathes” with Shaunak Sen
”Last Flight Home” with Ondi Timoner
”Documentary Now!” with Alex Buono, Rhys Thomas & Seth Meyers
”Descendant” with Margaret Brown
”The Janes” with Tia Lessin & Emma Pildes
”Blind Ambition” with Rob Coe & Warwick Ross
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Cinema: A to B
I Finally Watched...
Star Wars Escape Pod
Kill James Bond!
Pod Meets World