Introducing aquagenic-induced urticaria.
They say you learn something new every day and today’s “new something” is quite a shocker. Monster wave pioneer, father of modern day Nazare, Garrett McNamara has been a constant presence in our surf world for decades with many surprising re-inventions along the way.
I remember, over a decade ago now, standing on the shores of the Banzai Pipeline there on Oahu’s North Shore during a Pipeline Master’s event with large, large swell. So large, in fact, that if my memory serves the contest was put on brief hold. Do they ever do that? Is my memory well and truly shot?
McNamara used the window to head out to 3rd Reef on an electric surfboard that he was the face of. Do you remember that one? The Wavejet?
Anyhow, Garrett went out to put on a show, got smashed and broke his Wavejet in half, both pieces washing to the beach.
“That’s the last we’ll see of him,” I thought but next thing I know he’s discovering Nazare and toast of the town and toast of the world taking CNN anchor Anderson Cooper out on the back of a ski so I thought, “That’s the last we’ll see of him.’
Wrong again, HBO’s 100-Foot Wave such a success that it has been greenlit for a second season and Garrett’s star burning brighter than ever.
Except on a recent podcast with Barstool Sports the big wave icon revealed a long-led, deeply personal family secret.
The host wondered, “What’s the biggest wave you’ve ever bodysurfed?” To which Garrett replied, “You know it’s a funny fact. I’m kinda allergic to saltwater. I get all (indecipherable) and I can’t stay in the water that long so I’m not much of a bodysurfer.
“There’s no such thing and that’s the last we’ll see of him,” I thought before checking my privilege and do some research.
According to Professor Jonathan Peter, head of the Allergology and Clinical Immunology division at University of Cape Town’s Department of Medicine and the Allergy clinic, “Specialists define a reaction to seawater as aquagenic (water) induced urticaria or cold-inducible urticaria. Studies demonstrate the salt content of water can also influence seawater’s ability to produce hives in certain patients.” Though, “It is not actually considered an allergy.”
Close enough.
Garrett McNamara here to stay.
Season two of 100 ft wave…. Ouch. The first episode and a half of the show was very entertaining… After that? Brutal. Same thing over and over again. Tow surfing is so boring and all the gear they have to use? Barf. I’d rather see season two of alltimeate sarfer.
(haven’t seen a second of that garbage)
What’s your opinion on beach scenery tho?
I fucken hate the beach and particularly sand
Pure entertainment old G Mac..
from the shoulder demolition at mavs, to the street sweeper stack at cloudbreak, and the near skinned alive Healy burn at chopes. Some of the best wipeouts of all time
Don’t forget fading/drowning Greg Long at Cortes Bank
It gives him nightnamaras!
‘The Leif Garrett McNamara Experience’, the (most probable) name of Anderson Cooper’s disco covers band.
https://uploads.disquscdn.c… You mean Anderson (take in the pooper) Cooper?
The same Anderson Cooper (son of Gloria Vanderbilt, he’ll never go ‘broke’) that Garrett took out the ‘back’ on a ski at ‘mountain’ sized Nazare…
https://uploads.disquscdn.c… I just became aware that I’m allergic to Garrett McNamara.
The best surfing ability in the mainstream’s eye, it seems, is availability. Those who never disappear, those from whom we’ll never see the last of, are always reliably available to media outlets and general self-whorification. That’s why Longtom was our gritty anti-depressive gemstone.
‘self-whorification’. I’m adding this one to my vocabulary!
“(indecipherable)”
Best thing I’ve ever heard from Garrett.
It doesn’t keep him from wiping out.