Blake Johnston surfs as he sets out to break the world record for the longest surfing session on Cronulla Beach in Sydney on 16 March, 2023. Photo: SAEED KHAN / AFP
An Australian man has broken the world record for the longest surfing session - and was continuing to ride waves until Friday evening local time.
Blake Johnston's record break came after 30 hours and 11 minutes in the water at Cronulla beach in south Sydney.
Describing himself as "pretty cooked", Johnston told reporters he would keep going as "I still have a job to do".
His board-riding marathon has raised some $A240,000 (NZ$257,000) for charity.
With spotlights to illuminate a section of Cronulla's surf known as "The Alley", Johnston kept going overnight and by Friday lunchtime had ridden over 600 waves.
The 40-year-old former pro surfer and distance runner faces the risk of blindness, infected ears and dehydration, as well as sleep deprivation, hypothermia, shark attack and jellyfish stings.
He emerged briefly from the sea at lunchtime on Friday for a medical check-up, and to receive eye-drops.
And he’s done it! Cronulla father of 2, Blake Johnston has broken the record for the longest surf session in history. 30 hours and 11 minutes. He’s not done yet though, he plans to surf until 5pm this arvo! @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/2UMAZeFtFx
— James Wilson (@WesternWilson9) March 16, 2023
"I surfed at two in the morning with him, and the lights actually went out so it was pitch black," his brother Ben told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
"There were a whole bunch of jellyfish out there, so it was interesting to say the least."
Speaking ahead of his challenge, Johnston said: "I thought, I could just do it. I can run for 40 hours."
"But, this way, I can surf with people, bring in the community and make a difference for the future."
![Australian former professional surfer Blake Johnston speaks to the media after breaking the record for the world's longest surf session on Cronulla Beach in Sydney on March 17, 2023. - Australian Blake Johnston on Friday, March 17, 2023 smashed the world record for the longest continuous surfing session, saying he felt "pretty cooked" after catching waves for more than 30 exhausting hours. The 40-year-old former surfing pro broke down in tears after beating South African Josh Elsin's previous record of 30 hours 11 minutes, braving swarms of jellyfish and pitch black seas along the way. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / “The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Saeed KHAN has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [removes reference to spending 40 hours in the water]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services...](https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--TxH8LBU4--/ar_16:10,c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto,w_1050/v1679036481/4LBZOHR_000_33BG9JE_jpg?_a=BACCd2AD)
Australian former professional surfer Blake Johnston speaks to the media after breaking the record for the world's longest surf session on Cronulla Beach in Sydney Photo: SAEED KHAN / AFP
Johnston is fund-raising for the Chumpy Pullin Foundation, set up in the memory of Australian Olympic snowboarder Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin who drowned off the Gold Coast while spearfishing in 2020.
He is also supporting mental health charities, partly in tribute to his father who took his own life a decade ago.
- BBC
