Sébastien Bouin

Profession: Rock Climber

Biography: Sébastien Bouin is a French rock climber known as one of the best outdoor climbers in the world. By 2022, he had not only established one of the hardest climbing routes in the world but also played a crucial role in chronicling the evolution of extreme sport climbing in France.

Bouin embarked on his climbing journey at the age of 11, rapidly moving through the sport's difficulty levels. By 17, he had achieved the benchmark grade of 9a (5.14d).

His passion for outdoor climbing led him to surmount formidable routes, including La Rambla, Papichulo, and Realization/Biographie. Bouin's ascent of Chilam Balam garnered notable attention, particularly because he suggested a downgrade of its difficulty.

His climbing résumé was further distinguished by ascents such as Mamichula, his first 9b climb, and later Move, for which he proposed a 9b+ grade. In 2019, Bouin conquered The Dream and La Rage d'Adam, challenging routes located in France and Albania respectively.

The year 2022 was marked by Bouin's extraordinary achievements with first ascents of DNA, Nordic Marathon, and Suprême Jumbo Love, as well as the successful repetition of other rigorous routes such as Change and Jumbo Love.

Bouin delved into the heritage of his sport through The Vintage Rock Tour, a documentary series exploring France's extreme sport climbing legacy. He highlighted pioneers like Antoine Le Menestrel and revisited some of Fred Rouhling's iconic routes. Bouin's exploration continued with Hidden Gems, where he discovered new, unclimbed lines in French climbing areas.

The influence of Bouin’s mother, Claire Cerisier, who accompanied him in climbing, was a significant factor in shaping his philosophy towards both climbing and life. Beyond his athletic pursuits, Bouin is qualified as a physical education teacher ensuring vocational stability outside of his climbing.

Among his most notable accomplishments are the redpointing of DNA, considered the world's second route graded 9c, and the establishment of Bibliographie and Suprême Jumbo Love, North America's first 9b+. He has also made significant ascents of routes such as Beyond Integral, Move, Iron Curtain, and The Dream.

Born: April 7, 1993
Birthplace: Draguigan, France
Age: 31 years old

Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Star Sign: Aries