Sebastian Steudtner has made surfing history again, riding a nearly 100-foot wave and setting a new world record. In February 2024, the German surfer rode a massive 93.73-foot (28.57-meter) wave, surpassing his previous 2020 record of 86.4 feet and further cementing his status as a top athlete in the sport.
His 2020 achievement took nearly two years to be officially confirmed by Guinness, which announced the record on May 24, 2022, after a thorough review. Advances in wave measurement technology, driven by collaborations with Team Steudtner and Porsche Engineering, are making wave measurements more accurate. By using drones and advanced calculation tools, this technology could provide real-time, precise data and speed up record confirmation.
Porsche’s press release confirmed that Steudtner surfed what may be the largest wave ever measured—93.73 feet—in Nazaré, Portugal, with the wave’s height determined by advanced drone technology developed by Porsche Engineering and Team Steudtner. However, official confirmation of the record is still pending.
On February 24, 2024, Steudtner and fellow surfer Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca both surfed waves that many believe could set new records, potentially exceeding 100 feet. While Steudtner still holds the Guinness record for his 86-foot wave from October 2020, the surfing community eagerly awaits verification of these recent rides, which could surpass previous estimates.
Steudtner expressed his appreciation for Porsche’s partnership over the last three years, crediting their collaboration with helping him push the limits of big-wave surfing and achieve his lifelong dream. Through their joint efforts, they have advanced the sport in areas such as water safety and board technology.
As part of his Mission Wave Alpha project, Steudtner has focused on Nazaré, partnering with companies like Porsche, Porsche Engineering, Deutsche Vermögensberatung, Schaeffler, O2 Germany, and X-BIONIC. His goal is to push the boundaries of big-wave surfing while improving safety, technology, and performance. Here’s Sebastian Steudtner riding the world record wave in Nazaré, Portugal: