We Have a New World Record  - Stab Mag

Live Now: "Horse" — A surf film by James Kates starring Noa Deane — streaming exclusively on Stab Premium.

2233 Views

We Have a New World Record 

Blakey Johnson breaks the record for the world’s longest surf and raises over $330,000 for youth mental health.

news // Mar 17, 2023
Words by Jesse Starling
Reading Time: 2 minutes

After 40 hours in the water, over 707 surfed waves, countless wettie warmers, and over $330,000 raised, former QS warrior and current CT trainer Blakey Johnson set the new world record for the world’s longest surf.

From 1 AM Thursday, March 16, until 5:07 PM on Friday, March 17, Blakey breezed through the unthinkable task that is the 40-hour session. After losing his father to suicide, Blakey used his world record attempt to gain awareness for mental health. He also sought to raise funds for the Chumpy Pullin Foundation — a charity that honors the legacy of late Olympic snowboarder Alex “Chumpy” Pullin — and focuses on youth mental health. 

To keep him on target through the night, coaching royalty Andy King and Jay ‘Bottle’ Thompson paddled out with Blakey to keep the spirits high and the wave count up — more than likely fighting for the inside as well. 

Blakey officially became the world record holder for the world’s longest surf at 7:11 AM after being in the water for 30 hours and 11 minutes. By this time, he had caught 537 waves and had raised $218,130 for the Chumpy Pullin Foundation.

At this point, most people would have stopped and called it a job well done. However, Blakey had other plans. “I’ve still got a job to do. I said 40 hours, so I’ll go and get that,” he said as he ran out for yet another 10 hours in the ocean.

And, yep, he got it. 

About 50,000 spectators came out to cheer on the new world record holder, including Chumpy’s wife Ellidy. “Blakey and Chumpy both have that viking energy and to think about how much money he’s raised for the foundation, I can’t believe it.” 

Blakey’s brother, Ben, another founder of the Chumpy Pullin Foundation, added, “You have no idea the opportunity this amount of money brings to the foundation. We now have an amazing platform that we will be able to push our mental health initiatives into the youth communities with Blakey as our role model.”  

Even the local governments jumped in on the action. Both the major parties pledged $15000 donated if they are re-elected in the upcoming state poll.  

It all came to a close at 5:07 Friday when Blakey hit 40 hours of surfing and caught 707 waves. By the time his family embraced him at the shore, over $330,000 had been raised. 

“He’s done our dad proud,” Ben Johnson said. 

Congratulations to our new world record holder.  

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

This Harvard-Educated Professor Says You Should Be Surfing More

On surfing’s unexpected contribution to the study of capitalism, humanitarian work, and existential dread.

Apr 27, 2025

Isabella Nichols + Jack Robinson Win Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Both plant their flag in the top 5.

Apr 27, 2025

Morgan Cibilic’s Wildcard Charge Continues As Isabella Nichols Topples World No. 1

The Bell will ring tomorrow.

Apr 26, 2025

Blood In The Bracket: Wildcards Wreak Havoc, Ethan Ewing Performs “Best Ever Surfing At Bells Bowl”

Xav Huxtable eliminates Italo Ferreira + Morgan Cibilic marches into the Quarterfinals.

Apr 25, 2025

Rip Curl Pro Bells Day 3: Caity Simmers Stumbles, Gabby Bryan Snatches Yellow Jersey

Huge day of upsets as competition shifts to Winki.

Apr 24, 2025

Sydney: Low Key Big Wave City

Tim Bonython, Chase Hardaker and Letty Mortensen on the spectacular intersection of April swells +…

Apr 23, 2025

Surfing Your Brains Out Is Now A Legit Path to Higher Education

If only this existed when we were in high school.

Apr 22, 2025

Gruelling Day At Bells: Six Eliminated, Ramzi Boukhiam’s Season In Jeopardy After Injury

Vahine Fierro, Ian Gouveia, Dvd Silva and more axed after 10-hours of competition.

Apr 22, 2025

How Lowers Became the 2028 Olympic Surfing Venue

The cobblestones beat Huntington’s flash, dodged the chlorine trap, and buried a couple Olympic gold…

Apr 22, 2025

Empty Set: What Defines A ‘Pro’ Surfer?

Nathan Fletcher, Jacob Szekely, and Alex Midler grapple with the blurry line of professional surfing.

Apr 21, 2025

PC, Woke, Or Genuine Connection And Respect?

The intersection of surfing and Indigenous cultures.

Apr 19, 2025

New PerfectSwell Wavepool Announced Outside of Zion National Park, Utah

The tech that fuels Boa Vista Village and São Paulo Surf Club is coming to…

Apr 18, 2025

Gabriela Bryan and Tyler Wright Shape the Narrative on Opening Day at the Rip Curl Pro Bells

Dispatches from an offensively pleasant morning at Bells Beach.

Apr 18, 2025

Why Surf Apparel + Wetsuits Are Bracing for “A Massive Closeout Set” 

Vissla and Sisstr CEO, Paul Naudé + Boardriders’ Wetsuit Czar, Scott Boot talk tariffs. 

Apr 17, 2025

‘Wildcard To Win Bells,’ Says Local CT Veteran 

Tricky Chook, Superman specialist and former Trials winner, pegs Xavier Huxtable for the W.

Apr 17, 2025

For Whom Shall The Bell Toll?

With the cut just one month away, so the Aussie Treble begins.

Apr 16, 2025

Competitive Surfing: A Playground For Billionaires

The WSL and an alt-tour upstart are backed by nine figure net worths. Is there…

Apr 15, 2025

“I Want to See An Ankle-Breaking, Knee-Breaking, Career-Ending Air”

And the first invite to Stab High 2025 goes to...

Apr 15, 2025
Advertisement