Sebastian Steudtner
Sebastian Steudtner (born 4 May 1985) is a surfer and champion in big wave surfing.[1][2] As of 2025 he holds the world record for the tallest measured wave ever surfed, at 26.21 m (86.0 ft), on October 29, 2020.[3][4]
Early life
Steudtner grew up in Germany, Nuremberg being his hometown. At age 16 he moved to Hawaii, on his own and with only the reluctant acquiescence of his parents, to pursue a surfing career.[5]
Career
Steudtner won the 2010, 2015 and 2021 WSL Biggest Wave awards.[5] Steudtner was engaged to speak and work with English Premier League team Liverpool, conveying lessons and exercises from his surfing experience.[6][7][8][9]
On October 29, 2020, in Nazaré, Portugal, he surfed a 26.21 m (86.0 ft) tall wave, the tallest measured wave ever surfed.[10] The record was authenticated by the World Surf League as part of the Red Bull Big Wave Awards.[4]
In an interview in 2021, Steudtner said that with improvements in rescue and support equipment, waves that are "much bigger" than currently could be surfed, and that that was his goal.[11]
In 2024, Steudtner surfed a wave measured at 28.57 m (93.7 ft) at the same location. If officially ratified, it would surpass his own world record of the tallest wave ever surfed. [12]
Personal life
Steudtner's girlfriend and tow partner until 2021 was Maya Gabeira, who is the record holder for the tallest wave ever surfed by a woman, at 20.8 m (68.2 ft).[13] They continue to support each other professionally.
References
- ^ "Weltrekordler & zweifacher Lebensretter" (in German). express.de. 6 July 2022.
- ^ Pfeiffer, Frieder (29 December 2007). ""Die Welle lässt einen raus - oder eben nicht"". Der Spiegel (in German). spiegel.de.
- ^ "Der Meister der Monsterwellen" (in German). tz.de. 25 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Largest wave surfed (unlimited) - male". guinnessworldrecords.com. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
- ^ a b "Sebastian Steudtner: "Being on top of a 30 metre wave is exhilarating"". marca.com. 5 April 2022.
- ^ "How surfing sensation Sebastian Steudtner played big role in Liverpool title triumph".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Jurgen Klopp explains how a surfer helped Liverpool win Premier League". liverpoolecho.co.uk. 18 November 2020.
- ^ "Jurgen Klopp makes waves by welcoming surfer into Liverpool camp". cnn.com. 21 August 2019.
- ^ "Do Liverpool's 'mentality monsters' have the desire and energy to push Man City again?". theathletic.com (Archived).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Surfing a record 86-foot wave took guts. Measuring it took 18 months". washingtonpost.com (Archived).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Bensinger, Graham (May 19, 2021). "Maya Gabeira and big-wave partner Sebastian Steudtner splitting up" (video). youtube.com. grahambensinger.com. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "The biggest wave ever surfed? Sebastian Steudtner eyes record from Nazaré – video". The Guardian. www.theguardian.com. 19 April 2024.
- ^ Bensinger, Graham (May 19, 2021). "Maya Gabeira: Sticking with my ex-boyfriend" (video). youtube.com. grahambensinger.com. Retrieved December 22, 2025.