100 Foot Wave (Season 2)

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⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by Tim)

The first season of this show tracks the rise of big wave surfing in Nazare, driven by Garret McNamara and a crew of other surfers that we come to love. I wasn't sure if the show could justify a second season, since now we are in the present and following a growing cast of surfers, but the personalities are great and the second season is a thrill.

Again, I could watch beautiful videos of people surfing mountains of water all day long. This show is filled with incredible shots that take your breath away. Last season was a lot about aging and watching others surpass you, to the point that now Garrett barely surfs and is essentially the Nazare shaman. We no longer have the flashback element of documentary storytelling, and are now just tracking the present. The scene has exploded, young bucks are doing backflips on 50 foot waves, and we meet some new surfers including a local boy looking for his shot at surfing stardom. His arc, where he teams up with Justine from last season as an unlikely duo, is so heartwarming, especially with his dad being such a bedrock of support. The finale episode he gets a lot of love, and seeing his dad beam with pride and celebrate the success of his son was overwhelming for this new dad. More on that later.

We have all the intrigue here. Heartbreak after tough losses. Life-threatening wipeouts. This community feels like it has become part of my family, so when someone goes down it is actually scary.

My favourite surfer is Cotty, a British guy from last season that seems to be carrying Garrett's torch. He has been in Nazare since day one but never really had a lot success. And when he does succeed, it hardly seems to satisfy him. He is divorced from his wife now, never sees his kids (surfing for these guys means travelling constantly for different seasons), and it appears the only time he is happy is literally the moments he is riding a wave. That satisfaction never lasts, and I find him such a compelling person. I feel like I am the same in a lot of ways, and most people find that in life the things that they once dreamed of can become common and unsatisfying. He is on this hamster wheel, and he has moments after big wipeouts where he seems to contemplate if it is all worth it, and then the next day he is back on the board. Fascinating stuff.

This pairs beautifully with Garrett, who doesn't really surf, and the season ends on a note that made this new dad weep. He doesn't have that ravenous desire to surf the biggest wave anymore, because it seems that sharing what he loves with his son and watching him grow is the legacy he desires now. He seems to have found complete peace, where there used to be this insatiable desire behind his eyes for fame and success. It reminded me a lot of season 2 of The Bear, people doing things I don't understand but at the end of the day they all want purpose. Cotty, I am begging you, reconnect with your family, surfing can't fulfill you!

Giving this a 9 since I liked the traditional documentary style of the first season a bit more, but this is easily one of my favourite shows on right now and I love all these surfers with my whole heart.

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