Mason Barnes, a big wave surfer from North Carolina, had a wild ride this past winter—literally and figuratively. Known for chasing massive swells around the world, Barnes had previously traveled to Ireland for powerful paddle sessions, but this year’s trip was different. It was a comeback story following one of the worst injuries of his career.
On November 26, 2024, at the infamous Nazare surf break in Portugal, Barnes suffered a brutal wipeout while attempting an aerial maneuver. The crash left him with a complete tear of his medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his knee—a Grade 3 tear. After slamming down from a 30-foot drop and landing awkwardly with one foot stuck in his board’s straps, he experienced pain like never before.
So, after only surfing once in the previous two months, a 2-foot day in Huntington Beach, Mason’s first proper wave since the injury stretched in a cold, rotund barrel and an entry into the 2025 Big Wave
Normally, this injury would require surgery and months of recovery, but Barnes wasn’t willing to write off the season. With the help of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Masi Reynolds and physical therapist Amy Schultz in Los Angeles, he began an intense rehabilitation program. For two straight months, he trained relentlessly with one goal: to return to surfing before the season ended.
By late February 2025, a promising swell appeared on the forecast for Mullaghmore, a renowned surf spot in Ireland. Despite the slow conditions and concerns about re-injuring his knee, Barnes was encouraged by Irish surf veteran Barry Mottershead to give it a shot. Within minutes of paddling out, Barnes caught a powerful wave—his first real ride since the injury—and it turned out to be good enough for entry into the 2025 Big Wave Challenge.
Though he was wearing a restrictive knee brace and hadn’t surfed seriously in months, Barnes pulled into a cold, heavy barrel and rode it cleanly. For a brief window, Mullaghmore delivered perfect conditions, but it all vanished just 20 minutes later. Barnes said the lineup went flat after a short but intense pulse of energy, describing it as the biggest he’s ever seen at Mullaghmore.
Still, he squeezed in one more wave before the session ended. Unfortunately, that second wave closed out and slammed him hard, reinforcing how risky the surf still was. Thankfully, the brace protected his knee through the impact.
Barnes’ journey from injury to triumph captures the unpredictability and magic of big wave surfing—where months of hardship can be redeemed in a single, unforgettable ride.