Garrett McNamara

Garrett McNamara is one of the world’s most known surfers, who has set several world records. He has been the subject of several documentaries, showcasing his efforts to surf the world’s largest waves and Garrett was one of just 32 surfers invited to join the World Stand Up Paddle Surfing Championships. With a master’s degree in environmental education, he also runs a foundation aimed at providing meaningful nature experiences. Available to hire as a speaker he talks about the career that made him a global sensation and how to achieve at the highest level for so long.

He started his surfing career at 17 years old when he placed at the prestigious Hawaiian Triple Crown Series. A year of training followed that early success, and he won the 2002 Tow Surfing World Cup along with the $70,000 prize money. He continued to be a regular on the surfing circuit and was the cover star for major surfing magazines as his popularity grew. He also became fluent in Japanese thanks to his time travelling to compete. Pushing the boundaries of surfing Garrett pushed himself as much as possible and escaped death on several occasions, including in 2016 when he wiped out on a 50-foot wave in California. Not put off by the dangers and injuries he received, in 2007 he was a part of the only team to have surfed waves generated by a 300ft calving glacier in Alaska. A feature film was made to show the incredible feat.

Garrett’s thrill-seeking saw him set a Guinness World Record in 2011. Tracking swells to find the biggest waves, he rode a 78-foot wave, beating the previous record by over afoot. Not content with that record, he returned to Praia do Norte, Portugal to beat his own record by surfing a wave estimated to be 100-foot. He was also one of just 32 surfers invited to compete at the World Stand Up Paddle Surfing Championship, showing his status as one of the world’s best surfers. Away from surfing, he holds a Masters in Environmental Education, which he uses to run a foundation with his wife Nicole. The foundation is focused on creating nature experiences through education programmes.

Available to hire as a speaker, Garrett is an inspiration to everyone he meets. His story of thrill-seeking endeavours and near-death experiences will keep any audience hanging on his every word. Garrett focuses on his career as well as providing an insightful discussion on what it takes to achieve at the highest level.