Riding the wave of success

Sebastian Steudtner: racing to a record 

It looks like a duel with nature: When Sebastian Steudtner races towards a world record on a gigantic wave off the Portuguese coastal town of Nazaré in October 2020, the sea seems intent on swallowing him. But for now, it fails to do so. Steudtner reaches speeds of around 80 kilometres per hour, and by the time the mass of water brings his wild ride to an end, he has set a new record: 26.21 metres – no other surfer has ever conquered a higher wave.

Sebastian Steudtner has spent his whole life looking for new paths: the son of an Austrian mother and a German father, he was finally allowed to leave Germany for Hawaii at the age of 16 to attend the Maui Ocean Academy windsurfing school. Even after leaving the school, Steudtner initially stayed in Hawaii, taking various jobs – including as a construction worker – to fund his dream of making a life as a surfer. Today, he spends every winter in Nazaré, keeping a close eye on its impressive waves. In April 2024, he beat his own record by surfing a 28.57-metre wave. The new record has yet to be officially recognised, but Steudtner keeps going, always in search of his next big moment.

Camilla Kemp: finding freedom 

She grew up by the sea – and surfing has long since taken her all around the world: Camilla Kemp was born in Portugal to German-Dutch parents and spent much of her childhood at Praia do Guincho, a paradise for surfers. She attended the German School in Lisbon but initially surfed for the Portuguese national team. In 2018, she decided to join the German team, later explaining her decision as follows: “We’re all different here, but at the same time we’re all the same because we come from different countries but share a German passport. I found my identity in the German team.” 

In 2024, Camilla Kemp made sporting history as the first female surfer to represent Germany at the Olympic Games. She finished 17th in Paris and was impressed by the scale of the sporting spectacle – but initially hit a low after the competition. She told a surfing website that the pressure of competition had caused her to lose that sense of freedom: “I tried to rediscover the little girl inside me who just wanted to sit on the beach for hours and surf.” She finally succeeded and is now training hard again for her next big goal: the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.