511 surfers joined hands today just off the pier in Huntington Beach, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest paddle out. Photo: Dylan Heyden
On Tuesday morning, 511 surfers successfully set the Guiness World Record in Huntington Beach for the largest paddle out ever recorded. The “Ring of Honor” saw participants ranging from local heroes like Brett Simpson and Courtney Conlogue to local legends, residents, and groms. Teams were organized into blue, red, green, black, and yellow color groups to correspond with the colors of the Summer Games.
Initially, the concept was to lower down a giant circle of floating pool noodles that had been strung together and have surfers grab on to a noodle of their color. Fighting a strong north-to-south side current, though, event organizers ultimately abandoned the idea.
After nearly two hours of paddling, surfers managed to link hands forming an oblong ring made up of 511 participants. Apparently to set the record officially, participants needed to exceed 500 and successfully form an unbroken ring for more than 60 seconds. An official Guinness World Record Book arbitrator was present both to count the participants and to witness the paddle out. It’s worth noting that while some paddle outs in the past are said to have been bigger, this is the first of its kind to be recorded by Guiness World Records.
For now, the world record-setting feat remains unofficial – the deliberation process may take some time. You wouldn’t know that, though, by listening to the sheer elation of spectators and surfers after the final countdown.
