HBO’s “100 Foot Wave” is genuinely unlike anything else as a sports documentary series directed by Chris Smith (of “Sr.” and “Fyre”) that we can only describe as being equally perplexing, informative, and fascinating. This is due to the fact that it provides us with an unmatched glimpse into the incredibly dangerous yet thrilling world of surfing through the eyes of pros who have really participated in it for years. We’ve got you covered if you just want to know more about Andrew “Cotty” Cotton, his past, and where he stands right now. He’s one of them, after all.
Who is Andrew “Cotty” Cotton?
Andrew has always felt at ease in the water because to his early (doctor-recommended) swimming classes for asthma treatment, but he didn’t start showing an interest in surfing until he was eight years old. He actually pleaded with his parents to let him try it, to the point where they had to rent equipment, and he later fell madly in love with the sport while still appreciating its severity. So his loving “parents purchased me a surfboard from Chapter Surf Shop for my following birthday. It had a lightning bolt running down it and was ultra-Eighties, glowing green and pink. It was cool.
The following years saw Andrew’s love of surfing grow enormously, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing to get from his tiny North Devon beach to some of the most amazing large waves. Although he was able to join clubs to pick up technical skills before competing, others had doubts about his schooling, the danger of accidents, the size of the sport, and the expense of going pro. He once recalled, “The careers advisor [at school] told me that surfing wasn’t a job – that it was just not possible.” I quit school in order to pursue a career in the surf industry.
After that, Andrew found work at a firm that makes surfboards, which was great since it gave him the time and freedom to surf in other parts of the world. He said, “It was through being able to travel that I found my niche, which is surfing huge waves. “I understood that while I might not be the best surfer for tiny waves, I enjoyed huge waves. The end was reached. To make ends meet, he had to learn how to become a plumber and a beach lifeguard for a while, but nothing could keep him away from the sea for very long because he simply adored the wave chase.
However, Andrew’s life didn’t start to change until he received a call from explorer Garrett McNamara in 2010 asking him to be his safety ski driver at the legendary Portuguese seaside resort of Nazaré. Thus began the beginning of their close connection and his chance to advance from his amateur status by working with one of his heroes, which he fully exploited by soaking up the experience. A few years later, Red Bull made him an offer for a contract based on his own solo big-wave surfs, making his ambition of being a professional surfer a reality unlike anything he could have ever dreamed.
Where is Andrew “Cotty” Cotton Now?
at November 2017, while surfing a 55-foot wave at Nazaré, Andrew injured his back and nearly put an end to his career in the ocean. However, he showed his resilience by making a spectacular recovery. The Dryrobe ambassador made up his mind that this was not the end for him, and he fought arduously to restore both his physical and mental power. Less than a year later, he was back on the board. In fact, he came back stronger than ever after surfing an 80-foot wave that might have broken a world record in Nazaré in 2020, all the while coping with the effects of the covid-19 pandemic.
Andrew admits, “My goals as a surfer change all the time. “However, for every professional big wave surfer, catching that one ride of the season is everything. The entire year hinges around briefly riding a wave. Everything is arbitrary, but it’s also very private. You may increase your chances of riding one of the biggest waves of the year, if not ever, by just spending as much time as you can in the water on the biggest days. The Devon resident, ambassador for Saltrock Clothing, outdoor adventurer, public speaker, and professional surfer, however, always puts his family first. His two kids, Honey and Ace, who he had with his ex-wife Katie, are his world.
