Garrett McNamara is a Guinness World Record-holding big wave surfer, renowned for surfing the largest wave ever recorded, estimated at 100 feet, in Nazaré, Portugal. A trailblazer in the world of extreme sports, Garrett has transformed big wave surfing from a niche pursuit into a global phenomenon. His career has been defined by boundary-breaking courage, from pioneering tow-in surfing in the early 2000s to starring in the hit HBO documentary series 100 Foot Wave. With an unshakeable spirit and infectious passion, he now shares his extraordinary journey with audiences worldwide as a motivational keynote speaker, encouraging people to overcome fear, pursue greatness, and live with purpose.
Raised in a tumultuous environment, Garrett’s early life was marked by instability and change. Born in Massachusetts and later relocating to Hawaii, he discovered surfing at the age of eleven - a moment that would shape the course of his life. By seventeen, Garrett had already placed in the Triple Crown of Surfing, one of the sport’s most prestigious competitions. But it was his appetite for the extreme that truly set him apart. When tow-in surfing emerged - a technique using jet skis to access waves too big to paddle into - Garrett immediately embraced the innovation, leading to a career defined by daring exploration and firsts.
In 2002, Garrett and his partner Rodrigo Resende won the Tow Surfing World Cup at Jaws, a career-defining moment that launched him onto the global stage. His relentless pursuit of the biggest waves took him across the world, including a groundbreaking expedition to Alaska, where he became the first person to surf waves created by calving glaciers. In recognition of his contributions to Portugal and big wave culture, he became the only foreign recipient of the Portuguese Navy’s Medalha Naval de Vasco da Gama. Across his career, he has claimed eight Billabong XXL Awards, surfed record-breaking waves, and survived countless brushes with death — each time returning with deeper wisdom and resilience.
Today, Garrett inspires audiences across corporate, educational, and environmental sectors with his powerful story. His keynote talks blend raw personal experience with universal lessons on courage, adaptability, and determination. With his deep connection to nature, passion for sustainable living, and unique perspective on risk and reward, Garrett is far more than a world-class athlete - he is a global symbol of fearlessness, perseverance and visionary leadership.
