Nicole McNamara (born May 2, 1987) is an American environmental educator, wellness consultant, and podcaster.
She is best known as the wife and manager of big-wave surfing legend Garrett McNamara and as a co-star of HBO’s docuseries 100 Foot Wave.
Who is Nicole McNamara?
Nicole McNamara, also known as Nicole Macias McNamara, is a former environmental science teacher turned wellness advocate, podcaster, and sports manager.
She serves as the manager and on-site spotter for her husband, Garrett McNamara, during his record-breaking big-wave surfing missions. That role places her at the center of some of the most dangerous surf conditions in the world.
Nicole also co-founded the McNamara Foundation alongside Garrett. The nonprofit uses surf therapy to mentor at-risk and underprivileged youth in Nazaré, Portugal, and Oahu, Hawaii.
She hosts the official companion podcast for HBO’s 100 Foot Wave. Her work connects the surfing world to broader conversations about ocean conservation and environmental advocacy.
Early Life of Nicole McNamara
Nicole McNamara grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where her parents, Carlos and Rose Macias, raised her with a deep love of the ocean.
Her father, Carlos, worked as a surfer and boat captain. He passed his respect for the environment on to his daughter from a young age.
Nicole has one brother, C.J. Macias, who has surfed big waves himself. Both siblings appeared together in episodes of the 100 Foot Wave Podcast.
Nicole McNamara Age
Nicole McNamara is 39 years old as of June 20, 2026, born on May 2, 1987.
Her zodiac sign is Taurus. As of 2026, she continues to appear alongside Garrett McNamara in the third season of 100 Foot Wave on HBO.
Nicole McNamara Ethnicity and Nationality
Nicole holds American nationality. Her father, Carlos Macias, grew up surfing in Puerto Rico before moving to the United States.
Her family background includes Cuban and Latino roots, giving Nicole a mixed heritage. She grew up in South Florida, a region with a vibrant Latino community and strong ocean culture.
That upbringing shaped her early interest in both marine environments and environmental advocacy.
Nicole McNamara Height and Weight
Nicole McNamara reportedly stands around 5 feet 7 inches tall, or approximately 1.70 meters.
Her exact weight is not publicly confirmed. She maintains an active lifestyle that includes yoga and ocean sports.
That fitness routine supports her demanding role as Garrett’s on-site safety spotter during big-wave sessions.
Nicole McNamara Education
Nicole McNamara earned a degree in environmental sciences, which she applied to a teaching career in Florida before transitioning to wellness consulting.
She later became a certified Ayurvedic lifestyle consultant through the American Institute of Vedic Studies. That certification underpins her current work in holistic health education.
Before her work in the surfing world, Nicole taught environmental science at the middle and high school level in Florida. Her early career connected directly to the ocean conservation values she continues to champion today.
Nicole McNamara Career
Nicole McNamara’s professional life began in the classroom and has evolved into a multifaceted role spanning sports management, media, and philanthropy.
Early Teaching Career
Nicole began her professional life as an environmental sciences teacher in Florida. She worked within the Broward County school system, teaching middle and high school students.
That experience built her communication skills and her ability to translate complex ideas to general audiences. Both qualities later proved invaluable in her media and management work.
Meeting Garrett and Becoming His Manager
Nicole first met Garrett McNamara in 2010 in Puerto Rico. She attended a standup paddle-boarding competition while Garrett was volunteering with Surfers Healing, a nonprofit that teaches surfing to autistic youth.
The two bonded over their shared love of the ocean and environmental causes. Within months of meeting, Nicole began supporting Garrett’s career as his manager.
Nicole played a key role in the preparation for Garrett’s record-breaking rides at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal. She served as the eyes on the radio, tracking wave sets and communicating conditions to her husband in real time.
Garrett surfed a then-Guinness World Record wave of 78 feet at Nazaré in November 2011. Nicole’s work as spotter and manager contributed directly to that achievement.
100 Foot Wave on HBO
Nicole and Garrett went on to marry in November 2012 at Praia do Norte, Nazaré. That same location — where history had been made — became the setting for their wedding ceremony.
The story of their life in Nazaré caught the attention of producers, and Nicole helped initiate the project that became HBO’s 100 Foot Wave. She drafted an early script concept, which producer Joe Lewis acquired and director Chris Smith developed into a full docuseries.
100 Foot Wave premiered on HBO and earned eight Emmy nominations across its first two seasons, winning two. Nicole appears throughout the series as a central figure in both the surfing world and her family’s life in Portugal.
She also hosts the official 100 Foot Wave Podcast, produced by HBO and Topic Studios. Each episode features conversations with surfers, filmmakers, and crew members from the series.
Season 3 and Beyond
The third season of 100 Foot Wave premiered on HBO and Max in 2025. Nicole and Garrett both appeared as central figures, with Nicole’s perspective as manager and safety spotter featured throughout the new episodes.
In a 2025 interview, Nicole spoke about her commitment to authenticity in the series. She emphasized the value of showing the real difficulties of their lives rather than a polished version.
McNamara Foundation and Vital Living
Nicole co-founded the McNamara Foundation with Garrett to use surf therapy for youth who face social and economic challenges. The foundation runs programs in both Nazaré, Portugal, and Oahu, Hawaii.
She also founded Vital Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on holistic healing and wellness education. Vital Living serves as the umbrella organization for the foundation’s Waves of Life surf therapy program.
The Waves of Life program held its inaugural surf therapy camp in Nazaré in 2018. Since then, it has served over 50 foster youth through weekly surf therapy sessions.
Nicole McNamara Awards and Championships
100 Foot Wave received eight Emmy nominations across its first two seasons and won two Emmy Awards. Nicole served as a central figure and host of the companion podcast throughout both seasons.
The series was recognized for its documentary storytelling and its portrayal of the big-wave surfing community. That recognition placed Nicole alongside her husband as part of an award-winning production.
Nicole McNamara Husband
Nicole McNamara married Garrett McNamara in November 2012 at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal. The location held special meaning for both — it was where Garrett set his world record just a year earlier.
The couple first met in 2010 and dated for two years before marrying. Nicole’s marriage to Garrett was her first; it was Garrett’s second marriage after his earlier relationship with Konnie Pascual.
As of 2026, Garrett and Nicole remain married and continue to split their time between homes in Hawaii and Nazaré. Their partnership extends from family life into professional collaboration across surfing, media, and philanthropy.
Nicole McNamara Children
Nicole and Garrett McNamara have three children together. Their eldest, Barrel, was born in 2015, and their second child, Theia Love Nazaré Celeste Rose, was born in April 2018.
Their third child, Fe do Mar Strawberry Lucy, was born on December 20, 2021. Each of the children’s names reflects the family’s deep connection to the ocean and to Nazaré, Portugal.
Garrett also has three children from his earlier relationship with Konnie Pascual: Ariana Kaimana, Titus Waimea, and Tiari. Nicole and Garrett raise their three children between Portugal and Hawaii.
Nicole McNamara Net Worth
Nicole McNamara’s estimated net worth is $1.5 million as of 2026. Her income draws from career management, podcast hosting, and nonprofit leadership.
Her work with HBO’s 100 Foot Wave has raised her public profile significantly since the series first aired. That visibility has grown alongside the show’s critical success and expanding audience.
Nicole McNamara Social Media
Nicole McNamara is active on Instagram under the handle @mamaunearthed. She uses the account to share glimpses of family life, ocean conservation content, and updates related to 100 Foot Wave.
The joint family account @mcnamara_s features both Nicole and Garrett and covers their surfing activities, travel, and family moments in Portugal and Hawaii.
Nicole does not maintain verified public accounts on other major platforms. Her Instagram presence remains her primary social media channel for connecting with followers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nicole McNamara’s net worth?
Nicole McNamara’s estimated net worth is $1.5 million as of 2026, earned through sports management, podcast hosting, and her nonprofit work.
How old is Nicole McNamara?
Nicole McNamara is 39 years old as of June 20, 2026, having been born on May 2, 1987.
What team does Nicole McNamara play for?
Nicole McNamara is not a competitive athlete. She serves as the manager and safety spotter for big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara.
What is Nicole McNamara’s height?
Nicole McNamara reportedly stands at 5 feet 7 inches (approximately 1.70 meters) tall.
Who is Nicole McNamara married to?
Nicole McNamara married Garrett McNamara in November 2012 in Nazaré, Portugal. The couple remain together as of 2026 and share three children.
What awards has Nicole McNamara won?
The HBO docuseries 100 Foot Wave, which Nicole co-stars in and produced companion podcast content for, won two Emmy Awards from eight nominations across its first two seasons.
The Bottom Line
Nicole McNamara helped initiate the project that became HBO’s Emmy-winning docuseries 100 Foot Wave, drafting an early script concept that producer Joe Lewis and director Chris Smith developed into a full series.
Beyond the screen, she co-founded the McNamara Foundation and Vital Living nonprofit, running surf therapy programs in Portugal and Hawaii that have served more than 50 youth since 2018.
As of 2026, Nicole continues to appear in the third season of 100 Foot Wave on HBO and Max, host the series companion podcast, and manage Garrett’s ongoing surfing career from their homes in Nazaré and Hawaii.
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