Nicole McNamara’s story: love, adventure, and a life dedicated to the sea
A story of love, adventure, and the ocean’s call comes to life through the journey of Garrett McNamara and his wife, Nicole McNamara. Garrett is a professional surfer, while Nicole is an environmental activist, wellness consultant, and her husband's manager. Through her deep connection to nature, she inspires others to live a simple life and protect the sea.
Source: Instagram
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Nicole McNamara's profile summary and bio
- What is Garrett McNamara’s net worth?
Key takeaways
- Nicole McNamara’s life blends family, adventure, and environmental advocacy.
- She is married to professional big wave surfer Garrett McNamara, known for riding some of the largest waves in the world.
- They have two children together, and Garrett also has children from a previous relationship.
Nicole McNamara's profile summary and bio
Full name | Nicole Macias McNamara |
Nickname | Nicole |
Gender | Female |
Date of birth | May 2, 1987 |
Age | 38 years old (2025) |
Zodiac sign | Taurus |
Birthplace | Portugal |
Nationality | Portuguese |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion | Christianity |
Alma mater | University of North Florida |
Height | 5′9″ (175 cm) |
Marital status | Married |
Spouse | Garrett McNamara |
Children | 2 |
Mother | Rose and Carlos Macias |
Profession | Environmental activist, wellness consultant |
Social media |
Who is Nicole McNamara?
Nicole McNamara is widely known as the wife of American professional surfer Garrett McNamara. She is an environmentalist and wellness educator. Nicole is also a key member of her husband's safety team and his manager. She has Puerto Rican roots through her father’s side.
How old is Nicole McNamara?
As of 2025, Nicole Macias McNamara’s age is 38 years old. She was born on May 2, 1987, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Source: Original
Where is Nicole McNamara from?
McNamara is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. McNamara’s parents, Rose and Carlos Macias, are New Jersey natives who currently live in Florida. Carlos was a surfer and boat captain, while Rose previously worked at iStudio Salons.
Education
Nicole McNamara earned a degree in Community Health from the University of North Florida and later completed a master’s in Environmental Science.
She has a Master’s in Environmental Science from Nova Southeastern University. The environmentalist also studied the Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant course at the American Institute of Vedic Sciences.
Professional career
She worked as an environmental sciences teacher, which deepened her passion for sustainability and ocean conservation. Nicole’s background in education continues to influence her work, as she uses her platform to teach others about mindful living and environmental awareness.
Nicole is also known for her role as Garrett’s manager and spotter, helping him prepare for and navigate massive waves across the globe. Together, they co-founded the McNamara Foundation, which promotes surf therapy and ocean-based healing programs for youth.
She also hosts the 100 Foot Wave Podcast, where she offers behind-the-scenes insight into the Max documentary series that follows her family’s life and adventures. Nicole and Garrett McNamara on how “100 Foot Wave” has affected big wave surfing — in an exclusive interview, they discuss the documentary series, Nazaré, and their life together;
“Being able to share Nazaré the wave with the world through CNN, BBC, and all aspects of the media … billions of people saw the big waves of Nazaré.”
“And Portugal, you know, it’s crazy, when we first got there, of course, there was a surf culture and there was surf schools but now, I mean, there are surf schools everywhere, and up and down the entire coast, and it's just, it's a whole other level.”
Who is Nicole McNamara married to?
Nicole is married to Garrett McNamara, a famous big-wave surfer.
Who is Garrett McNamara?
Source: Getty Images
The American surfer rose to stardom for successfully negotiating a monstrous barrel at Jaws and for being the first person ever to ride a wave formed from calving glaciers. In November 2011, he entered the Guinness World Records for chasing storms and tracking swells.
Garrett caught a 78-foot wave in Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal, after being towed into the wave by a jet ski. In January 2013, he broke his own record by surfing an estimated 100-foot (30 m) wave.
Unfortunately, in January 2016, the sportsperson suffered from an injury: a dislocated shoulder and a broken upper arm, which required surgery, as he suffered a severe wipeout before being swallowed by a monster-size wave. Local surfers have revealed that this was the worst wipeout caught on video.
Garrett McNamara’s age
McNamara (aged 58 as of 2025) was born on 10 August 1967 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA. His zodiac sign is Leo. Garrett has Irish ancestry. His mother, who was a domestic abuse victim, raised him and his younger brother, Liam, single-handedly.
What is Garrett and McNamara's age difference?
Garrett is about 20 years older than his wife, Nicole.
Garrett McNamara’s height
The surfer stands 5 feet 10 inches (178 centimetres) tall. As per reports, he weighs 175 pounds (79 kilograms) and has brown hair and eyes.
How did Garrett and Nicole McNamara meet?
Source: Getty Images
When Nicole McNamara and Garrett first met, the surfer was married to someone else. The duo exchanged nuptials at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal, in November 2012.
They have three children: Barrel (born in 2015), Theia Love Nazaré Celeste Rose (born in 2018), and Fe do Mar Strawberry Lucy (born in 2021). However, Garrett has three kids from his previous marriage to Konnie Pascual: Ariana Kaimana (born in 1995), Titus Waimea (born in 1997) and Tiari.
Who is Garrett McNamara's ex-wife?
The surfer was previously married to Konnie Pascual. They tied the knot in 1994. The couple shared a love for the ocean and had three children together: Ariana Kaimana, Titus Waimea, and Tiari.
Their marriage lasted over a decade before they eventually divorced in the late 2000s. After their separation, Garrett married Nicole McNamara in 2012.
Who is Nicole McNamara’s first husband?
Garrett McNamara is Nicole's first husband. She was not previously married before meeting the professional surfer. Together, they have built a life centred around love, family, and a shared passion for the sea.
What is Garrett McNamara’s net worth?
McNamara’s net worth is estimated to be between $3 million - $4 million in 2025. He has amassed this wealth from his successful surfing career.
Trivia
- Nicole and Garrett McNamara met in 2010 in Hawaii during a sustainability event — they instantly connected through their shared love for nature and adventure.
- The couple got married in Nazaré, Portugal, in November 2012, the same town where Garrett set his world record for surfing the biggest wave ever recorded.
- They have three children together — Barrel, Theia Love, and Fe do Mar — each with ocean-inspired names that reflect their lifestyle.
- Nicole and Garrett split their time between Hawaii and Nazaré, living in harmony with the sea and Portuguese surf culture.
- Garrett McNamara is famous for surfing a 100-foot wave in Nazaré, Portugal, in 2011 — a feat that made him a Guinness World Record holder.
- Nicole McNamara often acts as Garrett’s spotter and manager, helping him track weather patterns and prepare for dangerous big-wave conditions.
- Together, they starred in HBO’s award-winning docuseries “100 Foot Wave,” which follows their journey and the rise of Nazaré as a global surf hub.
- Nicole hosts the “100 Foot Wave Podcast,” where she shares behind-the-scenes stories and interviews from the surfing world.
Guided by her passion for the ocean, Nicole McNamara continues to live with purpose and heart. Her adventures remind us to chase what we love and care for the world around us. Through her life and message, Nicole McNamara proves that the sea can shape not only our journeys but also our souls.
Briefly published biography of Tamara Gilmer, an American celebrity. She came into the limelight due to her short-lived marriage and divorce from the American singer and songwriter Rory Feek.
Since divorcing the American country music singer, Tamara has kept a low profile regarding her life and is rarely seen in public. Nothing is known about Tamara Gilmer's social media accounts due to her low-key life.
Source: Briefly News
Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for seven years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.
Kevin Omuya (Lifestyle writer) Kevin Omuya is a professional content writer with over three years of experience. At Legit.ng, he has contributed to extensive research on various topics such as celebrity news, fashion, and biographies. He has also worked as an editor and content creator at SportsCulture and CottageMed. In 2019, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University. You can reach him through his email: komuya89@gmail.com
