After a promising start to the winter surf season, American big-wave surfer Mason Barnes found himself sidelined by a serious knee injury. But through hard work, determination, and the help of a skilled support team, the 31-year-old made a dramatic return — catching a standout wave at Ireland’s legendary Mullaghmore.
Barnes, who hails from Wilmington, North Carolina, suffered the injury on November 26, 2024, during an intense session at Portugal’s infamous Nazare. Attempting a high-risk aerial maneuver, he came crashing down from nearly 30 feet, unable to free his foot from the board’s straps before impact.
“I tore my MCL trying an air at Nazare,” Barnes said. “I was chasing swells nonstop — from Europe to Maverick’s to Hawaii. But this time I landed straight-legged. My foot stayed locked in, and the pain was like nothing I’d ever felt before.”
The diagnosis: a full Grade 3 tear of his medial collateral ligament — one of the most severe knee injuries a surfer can face. Surgery would mean four to six months out of the water. For Barnes, that timeline wasn’t an option.
“I wanted to salvage the season,” he explained. “Fortunately, I connected with Dr. Masi Reynolds, an orthopedic surgeon, who introduced me to physical therapist Amy Schultz in Los Angeles. She put me on an aggressive two-month rehab plan.”
Barnes dedicated himself fully to recovery. For two months, he trained every weekday, focusing on rebuilding strength and stability in his injured knee. The goal was simple: get back in the water before the season ended.
In late February 2025, a promising swell appeared on the forecast for Mullaghmore — a heavy-water break off the west coast of Ireland known for producing some of the world’s most dangerous waves. Barnes, eager to test his recovery, made the trip.
But upon arrival, conditions were underwhelming.
“It was slow,” he recalled. “Conor Maguire was the only other guy out. I wasn’t sure it was worth risking my knee again.”
That changed when local surfing icon Barry Mottershead, who was towing Barnes on a jet ski, convinced him to give it a shot.
“I was leaning toward sitting it out, but Barry pushed me to get in the water,” said Barnes. “Within five minutes, the first wave appeared — and I just trusted his instinct. It paid off.”
What followed was a brief but powerful burst of surf. For 20 minutes, Mullaghmore came to life with the biggest waves Barnes said he had ever seen there.
“I got that one wave and couldn’t believe it,” he said. “It felt like everything came together. After that, the ocean just went quiet.”
Barnes managed to catch one more wave — but this time, he didn’t get away clean.
“It clamped right on my head,” he said. “I got smashed. I’m glad I had the knee brace on. That wave was a reminder that Mullaghmore doesn’t give out anything for free.”
With his body tested and his confidence restored, Barnes knew his session — and comeback — was complete.
“I was just stoked to get on the ski again,” he said. “That wave made all the pain, training, and frustration worth it.”