Over 1,000 people joined hands and linked arms to form an unbroken circle for over a minute. Photo: YouTube//Screenshot
On March 15, Australia’s Cronulla Beach was home to a new world record for the largest paddle out ever. Over a thousand people linked hands and arms to form an enormous circle to not only break the world record, but to raise awareness and money for mental health programs.
Organized by Blake Johnston — who broke the world record in 2023 for longest surfing session — the paddle out saw 1,027 people working together.
Prior to March 15, 2025, the record was held by Huntington Beach, California surfers, where 511 people paddled out together. A few months later, in Port Macquarie, near Sydney, another attempt was made by 650 surfers, but the proper requirements weren’t met to officially set a new record.
To set that record, surfers must hold an unbroken circle for at least a minute. The charities benefitting from this record attempt were Find Ya Feet and OneWave, both of which support youth in times of difficulty.
“Making sure people are there for one another and teaching practical tools to manage life’s ups and downs is what this is all about,” Johnston told local news.
Johnston, who lost his dad in 2013 to suicide, has raised nearly $500,000 for various mental health programs.
