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There’s a new world record claim for the most waves ridden in a wave pool in one month. The feat was accomplished by Australian surfer Blakey Johnston, who rode 4,097 waves over 253 sessions. The world record is unofficial of course, until Guinness can confirm. But it was still quite the endeavor. The previous unofficial record was 1,963 waves, according to URBNSURF .
The feat took place in Melbourne’s URBNSURF wave pool. The facility was Australia’s first surf park and the first full-sized Wavegarden Cove in the Southern Hemisphere, with the capability of generating around 900-1,000 waves per hour.
Johnston completed his feat surrounded by family, friends and the URBNSURF crew. The grueling feat left him bruised and battered, yet still stoked as ever. However, as he spoke to gathered press, he realized his work was not quite done. Due to a self-described personal affinity for the number seven, when he learned the final tally came up to 4,096, he went back and got just one more ride.
“Thanks to those who came and supported, the messages of encouragement and everyone of you I shared waves this month,” wrote Johnston on Instagram. “Everyone deserves to feel awesome and I truly believe we find a better version of ourselves when we dream big, dig deep and bring a crew along for the ride.”
This isn’t Johnston’s first time vying for a record, though. In March, he organized the world’s biggest paddle-out, with over 1,000 surfers. He also logged the world’s longest surf session, riding 707 waves over the course of 40 hours.
