Bio

Surfing has always played host to a cast of colorful characters. In the ’60s and ’70s, Miki Dora swindled and swaggered his way into our hearts. In the ’80s, the likes of Gerr and Occy hamming it up as they trekked their way across the globe became the stuff of legends. And the ’90s, with the derelicts at …Lost led by Crazy Randall and Chicken Willy, the envelope was further pushed with every scalp-torching San Clemente moment. Today, lucky for us, the 21st-century surf scene has Kauai’s Sebastian Zietz at the helm.


Growing up on the outer island of Kauai, Seabass is the latest heir to uphold the Zietz family prowess in the water. His older brothers are the stuff of legends on the Garden Island, the kind of surfers that people whisper about and say surf as good as most of the guys on Tour (in most cases, we realize that’s BS, but in this case it just so happens to be true). For Seabass, with his older brothers to emulate in the water, his future as a top-shelf surfer was predestined. That is, until the family packed up and moved to Florida for a few years, nearly dry-docking Seabass in the process. But like a wayward hound that lost it’s way, Seabass found his way home to an outer-island abode and had a thruster tucked under his arm again in no time. Things were back to the way that they should be and young Seabass was progressing at mind-numbing levels. 



As someone who had the fortune of watching Seabass develop from the kid with the extra thumb* that sat next to you on the bus to one of smoothest surfers on the island, I can attest to the fact that time in the water will always play a role, but the accelerated nature of Seabass’ development in the water was so ridiculous, it should be studied. One day it was smooth-as-butter turns, the next it was airs—it was as if there was no cap on his learning curve. He would see a punt or a hack, and in one fell swoop or lofty air, he would pull it. 



With the likes of Dustin Barca, Roy Powers, and the Irons Bros. paving a path before him, Seabass began gaining the attention of the industry. Heats were won and team managers took note. As Seabass progressed through the amateur ranks, his story seemed to be one of upward mobility. Only one problem: no passport. Born without a live birth certificate (it’s actually quite common on Kauai) traveling the world sans passport can become a difficult endeavor, and without travel, the whole pro surf thing can be a bit difficult. As the kinks surrounding Seabass’ passage into this world were ironed out, Seabass demolished the domestic contest scene, laying waste to his travel-seasoned counterparts with reckless abandon. 



When the day came that the final “t” was crossed the last “i” dotted on his passport, it was open season for Seabass. His mug, topped with a mane of wild blonde hair, was—and continues to be—spread across every major American surf magazine. Profiles, video segments, photo shoots, and his prowess as a dancer (see link below) became evident to the public. Seabass was here, bringing some much needed life and flare back to the surf world. Here’s hoping he continues his rise in the Hot 100 and shatters some ego on the dance floor.


*It’s been mentioned time and again that Seabass was born with an extra digit—a small thumb complete with the tiniest of nails—protruding from his regular thumb. What would be a source of embarrassment for many has become a spectacle of pride for Seabass—a move that says wonders about his personality.