Biggest Wave Ever Surfed

At 32 years old, Sebastián Olarte has spent much of his life chasing waves as a professional surfer.

He hails from Uruguay, a small country in South America nestled between Brazil and Argentina.

Uruguay is often known for its passion for football, world-renowned meat, and a strong sense of community.

However, beneath this well-known exterior lies a vibrant and dedicated surfing culture.

Here, surfers constantly dream of perfect waves, although the ideal conditions are often elusive.

This August, however, a powerful swell pounded the coastline while a stiff offshore breeze created some classic conditions for Sebastián and his team of friends.

The day began early – around 4 a.m. – when Sebastián left home and headed towards Rocha, a coastal region known for its surf spots.

There, he met up with the rest of the team, setting off for a location they believed might offer some rare gems.

Upon arrival, the sea greeted them with towering waves and rare offshore winds.

They quickly prepared their gear and headed to a rocky slab two miles offshore.

As they approached, the wind intensified, creating large bumps on the face of the waves.

Juan, one of Sebastián’s close friends, managed to catch a couple of waves before it was his turn.

The ski driver, Gastón, spotted a mountainous swell marching towards the lineup and exclaimed, “This one is yours, Seb!”

Sebastián launched onto it with determination, focusing on finding the perfect line to descend the wave without getting caught by the wind-induced bumps.

After navigating his way onto the shoulder of the wave, he headed back to the channel, where he was met with cheers from his friends.

“It was the biggest wave of the day, and I was pumped to have made it,” explained Sebastián.

“We attempted to catch a few more waves, but the wind grew stronger, so we headed to the beach break, which was also on fire.”

When they reached the beach, Leandro, the filmmaker, showed them the footage of that wave – and it was only then that they truly grasped its magnitude.

“None of us could believe that such a wave had materialized in Uruguay – it was a moment of both delight and disbelief.”

They spent the rest of the day doing step-offs on some amazing waves with friends, cherishing the thrill and camaraderie of surfing together.

Surfer: @sebastianolarte

Images (photos and footage): @leandrofuque

Words: @andyhiggins_france