Ex-Pro Surfer Blake Johnston Smashes World Record With Epic 40-Hour Surfing Session
Blake Johnston, a former professional surfer, has smashed the world record for the longest surfing session after riding hundreds of waves for forty arduous hours.
The 40-year-old Australian surfer broke the previous record of 30 hours and 11 minutes set by South African Josh Enslin. Evening applause greeted Johnston’s return to Sydney’s Cronulla Beach from the hundreds of admirers who had gathered to see.
Johnston entered the ocean in the early hours of Thursday morning and rode nearly 600 waves until 5 p.m., comfortably surpassing the previous record of 30 hours and 11 minutes. Using big spotlights to illuminate the ocean, he finally surfed for more than 40 hours, but his actual record time was not immediately recognised.
In accordance with the terms of the attempt, he was permitted to intermittently leave the water to apply eyedrops, refuel on snacks, and apply sunscreen.
Johnston didn’t simply smash a world record for fun; he is on a mission to raise 400,000 Australian dollars ($268,000) for youth mental health, CNN reports. Since he lost his father to suicide five years ago, he feels strongly about this cause.
He partnered with a charitable organisation in an effort to raise as much as possible. Johnston claimed he felt “cooked” after breaking the record in front of hundreds of onlookers who saw this historic event.
Who is Blake Johnston
Blake Johnston is a former professional surfer who later became a surfing instructor. On Friday off the coast of southern Sydney, he broke the world record for the longest surf by staying in the water for more than 40 hours and riding nearly 600 waves in total. People gathered at Cronulla beach to cheer him on as he surfed on his goal.
Local accounts indicate that throughout the time he was at sea, the beach was crowded with people. After Johnston broke the record of 30 hours 11 minutes, he took a break before going back to the sea again for 10 hours, per reports.
“Thanks everyone, you’re the best,” he said as went straight back into the ocean. “Everyone deserves to feel awesome, deserves to take care of yourselves. Good on you.”
Johnston was raising funds in collaboration with the Chumpy Pullin Foundation. His brother, Ben Johnston, is one of the co-founders of the organization.
“We’re just so immensely proud of what he’s done and what he’s setting out to achieve. This is all about honoring the legacy of our amazing dad,” his brother said reacting to the Johnston record-breaking surf.
Source – Tru News Report
