Deserving winners on the Emmy stage. Photo: Instagram//Garrett McNamara
On September 7, 100 Foot Wave, HBO Max’s incredible documentary featuring Garrett McNamara and his search for the biggest waves on the planet, won the Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program and another for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.
“This was never on my radar, never even in my dreams,” McNamara wrote after the win. “Not because I didn’t believe it was possible, but because it simply wasn’t a goal of mine. And yet, here we are — recognized with the honor of Best Documentary Series in the world. It still feels unbelievable.”
The show’s third season aired on May 1, and it was immediately apparent — to me, at least — that it was better than the previous seasons. Those were good enough for numerous Emmy nominations and a few other wins, but season three felt different. Bigger. More involved.
The show, which focuses heavily on Garrett McNamara, his wife Nicole, and their family, as well as a cadre of other big wave surfers, isn’t so much about riding big waves. It’s more about what goes into riding them and how lives change in the pursuit.
“It’s a story about the seasons of life,” The Inertia wrote. “A story about camaraderie. A story about people who are tuned to a different frequency than most. Yes, the spine of the show is the chase for that elusive measure, but it’s far more than that.”
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Back in April, I had a call with Garrett to talk about his experience over the last few years filming the show. Although he is the cornerstone of it, it was clear that he didn’t see it that way. He gives credit to almost everyone other than himself, and his acceptance of the most recent award is no different.
“I didn’t even hold the statue that night — and I didn’t need to,” he said. “Watching Nicole carry it, glowing like she was standing on the moon, filled me with more joy than anything. From the very beginning this was her vision, and together with our incredible team, we poured our hearts into telling our story with honesty, vulnerability, and love. Keeping it real, I mean really real!”
Of course, a show like 100 Foot Wave requires far more than just the faces on camera, and McNamara was quick to acknowledge the crew as well. In a show like this, the camera operators are literally risking their lives for the shot. Most of the crew are incredibly talented in the water in their own right, whether it’s surfing, piloting a Jet Ski, or rescuing anyone who might need rescuing.
“If they have a challenge, they know they can handle it,” he explained to me in April. “They’re equipped. They’ve got their float suits. They’ve got their inflation. They’re not messing around, because they know firsthand how how bad it can get, and how quickly it can happen.”
From the cast in front of the camera to the crew behind it and those in the edit rooms and on the safety teams, 100 Foot Wave truly is a team effort.
“This Emmy is for everyone who has believed in us, run alongside me, lifted me, challenged me — friends, family, and yes, even the doubters,” McNamara finished. “It never would have been possible without all of the people and team of Nazaré… to the cinematographers who devoted their lives to telling this story, and to Laurent Pujol, who put his life on the line with us in the water — this belongs to you too. Thank you. I love you all. The sound guys, our editors, I could go on forever, if I missed you I’m sorry but you know who you are and I love you! All the surfers and safety drivers in front of the camera and behind, this is all your Emmy too!”
