Sebastian Steudtner

'''Sebastian Steudtner''' (born 4 May 1985) is a surfer and champion in big wave surfing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.de/sport/sportmix/surf-star-sebastian-steudtner-ueber-lebensrettung-ging-um-alles-101350|title=Weltrekordler & zweifacher Lebensretter|date=6 July 2022 |language=de|publisher=express.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/sport/sonst/extremsurfen-die-welle-laesst-einen-raus-oder-eben-nicht-a-524645.html|title="Die Welle lässt einen raus - oder eben nicht"|work=Der Spiegel |date=29 December 2007 |publisher=spiegel.de |language=de|last1=Pfeiffer |first1=Frieder }}</ref> As of 2025 he holds the world record for the tallest measured wave ever surfed, at {{convert|26.21|m|ft|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}, on October 29, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tz.de/sport/mehr/big-wave-surfer-sebastian-steudtner-im-interview-ueber-seinen-weltrekord-und-die-gefahren-beim-surfe-zr-91687759.html|title=Der Meister der Monsterwellen|language=de|date=25 July 2022 |publisher=tz.de}}</ref><ref name="GUIN">{{Cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/78115-largest-wave-surfed-unlimited|title=Largest wave surfed (unlimited) - male|language=en|access-date=January 19, 2026 |website=guinnessworldrecords.com}}</ref>

==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.<ref name="marca">{{Cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/en/more-sports/2022/04/05/624c6710ca4741a01c8b45c6.html|title=Sebastian Steudtner: "Being on top of a 30 metre wave is exhilarating"|date=5 April 2022 |publisher=marca.com}}</ref>

==Career==

Steudtner won the 2010, 2015 and 2021 WSL Biggest Wave awards.<ref name="marca"/> Steudtner was engaged to speak and work with English Premier League team Liverpool, conveying lessons and exercises from his surfing experience.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/how-surfing-sensation-sebastian-steudtner-22265175|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230430181907/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/how-surfing-sensation-sebastian-steudtner-22265175|url-status=dead|archive-date=2023-04-30|title=How surfing sensation Sebastian Steudtner played big role in Liverpool title triumph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-jurgen-klopp-surfer-title-19299964|title=Jurgen Klopp explains how a surfer helped Liverpool win Premier League|date=18 November 2020 |publisher=liverpoolecho.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/21/football/surfer-jurgen-klopp-liverpool-football-sebastian-steudtner-spt-intl/index.html|title=Jurgen Klopp makes waves by welcoming surfer into Liverpool camp|date=21 August 2019 |publisher=cnn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/3690114/2022/10/14/klopp-liverpool-mentality-monsters/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20221014052845/https://theathletic.com/3690114/2022/10/14/klopp-liverpool-mentality-monsters/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2022-10-14|title=Do Liverpool's 'mentality monsters' have the desire and energy to push Man City again?|publisher=theathletic.com (Archived)}}</ref>

On October 29, 2020, in Nazaré, Portugal, he surfed a {{convert|26.21|m|ft|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} tall wave, the tallest measured wave ever surfed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2022/05/24/surfing-record-sebastian-steudtner/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220524170239/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2022/05/24/surfing-record-sebastian-steudtner/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2022-05-24|title=Surfing a record 86-foot wave took guts. Measuring it took 18 months|publisher=washingtonpost.com (Archived)}}</ref> The record was authenticated by the World Surf League as part of the Red Bull Big Wave Awards.<ref name="GUIN"/>

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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bensinger |first1=Graham |title= Maya Gabeira and big-wave partner Sebastian Steudtner splitting up|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUti7paiEmA&list=PLW5qT4HIAd1YC9SIA4twfkIoOnCVmEgkA&index=6|website=youtube.com |publisher=grahambensinger.com |language=en |format=video |date= May 19, 2021|access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>

In 2024, Steudtner surfed a wave measured at {{convert|28.57|m|ft|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} at the same location. If officially ratified, it would surpass his own world record of the tallest wave ever surfed. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2024/apr/19/the-biggest-wave-ever-surfed-sebastian-steudtner-eyes-record-from-nazare-video|title=The biggest wave ever surfed? Sebastian Steudtner eyes record from Nazaré – video|work=The Guardian |date=19 April 2024 |publisher=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>

==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 {{convert|20.8|m|ft|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bensinger |first1=Graham |title=Maya Gabeira: Sticking with my ex-boyfriend|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzBw1q1fmJ0|website=youtube.com |publisher=grahambensinger.com |language=en |format=video |date= May 19, 2021|access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref> They continue to support each other professionally.

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Steudtner, Sebastian}} Category:1985 births Category:German expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:German surfers Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Nuremberg