Sebastián
Álvarez
Chile
·
Wingsuit Flying
Date of birth | April 29, 1985 |
|---|---|
Age | 41 |
Nationality | Chile |
Career start | 2006 |
Disciplines | Wingsuit Flying / Outdoor Skydiving / B.A.S.E. Jumping |
Sebastián Álvarez always wanted to fly. He pursued his dream by joining the Chilean Air Force, where he became a skilled military pilot and skydiver. But over time, even military freefall felt too structured - he craved something wilder. That’s when he discovered wingsuit flying.
Skill and agility are his keys
Nicknamed 'Ardilla' (Spanish for squirrel), Sebastián became known for his precise, agile flights, much like the flying squirrel. Unlike thrill-seekers who take blind risks, he carefully studies, plans and perfects every detail before attempting a stunt.
One of his boldest challenges was flying into Villarrica, Chile’s most active volcano. He studied weather patterns and the volcano’s activity for months, waiting for the right moment.
"The feeling of going into 'the devil's house' was one of the scariest, most dangerous, and weirdest things I've experienced," he said. "I had to talk with the volcano first because it does what it wants. If I made a mistake, I could've stayed there."
At last, the conditions aligned. He dived into the crater, disappearing into the smoke before pulling up just in time to escape.
Combining aerial disciplines
In a world-first feat, Sebastián combined BASE jumping, skysurfing and wave surfing. Jumping from a helicopter at 3,600m (12,000ft) over Hudayriyat Island (Abu Dhabi), he descended with a modified surfboard strapped to his feet, then parachuted down to land on the world’s longest artificial wave at Surf Abu Dhabi.
This project took two years of training and coordination across multiple extreme sports disciplines. More than just a stunt, it set a new standard for action sports.
Sebastián isn’t reckless - his closest friends say, “Ardilla doesn’t make mistakes.” He welcomes fear as a tool to stay sharp, but is careful never to let it turn into panic.
"Fear is a very positive thing," he explains. "It makes me feel super active and 100 percent focused."
Flying higher than a plane
In his most recent Red Bull Starman mission, ‘Ardilla’ set an unprecedented benchmark in aerial sports, breaking three major records in a single wingsuit flight.
Sebastián jumped from an aircraft at an altitude of 12,640m (41,470ft) - higher than the cruising altitude of most commercial planes - harnessing the boost of a jet stream and making strategic body adjustments to maintain control while maximising speed, distance and time.
On his historic wingsuit flight, Sebastián reached a top speed of 550kph, covering 53.45km and descending in 11 minutes and 1 second. Watch the action here.
Red Bull Ultimate Aerial Obstacle Course thrills over Mali Losinj
© Predrag Vuckovic / Red Bull Content Pool
Sebastián Álvarez gears up for flight
© Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
Sebastián Álvarez's nickname is 'Ardilla', which means squirrel in Spanish
© Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
Sebastián Álvarez soars over Valparaíso
© Nicolas Gantz/Red Bull Content Pool