Australian shreds record for longest surf session
An Australian man has broken the world record for the longest surfing session – clocking more than 40 hours in the process.
At the end, Blake Johnston was carried on the shoulders of friends up Cronulla beach in south Sydney, describing himself as “pretty cooked”.
Johnston began surfing early on Thursday morning in aid of mental health awareness.
His effort has raised some A$335,000 (£185,000; $225,000) for charity.
With spotlights to illuminate a section of Cronulla’s surf known as “The Alley”, Johnston kept going overnight and had ridden over 700 waves by the end.
The previous record of 30 hours and 11 minutes was held by South African Josh Enslin.
The 40-year-old Johnston, a former pro surfer and distance runner, faced 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.
Johnston left the beach wearing a black cowboy hat while draped in a thermal blanket.
