2 May 2025

9 of the craziest surfing world records (the official and not-so-official)

At A-Frame Surf Camp, we live and breathe waves. But even we have to admit... some surfers out there take things to a whole different level. From jaw-dropping rides to seriously bizarre achievements, the surfing world has no shortage of record-breaking legends and wild stories. So grab your wax and your curiosity, because here are 9 of the craziest surfing world records we could find. Some are Guinness-official. Others? Well, they might be better suited for around the campfire.
Giant wave in Nazaré, Portugal
  • Surfers and jet skis near a breaking wave in Nazaré
    A huge wave begins to break off Nazaré in Portugal, while surfers on their boards and rescue teams on jet skis position themselves in the water

9. Biggest wave ever surfed

  • World Record Holder: Sebastian Steudtner (Germany)

  • Location: Nazaré, Portugal

  • Wave Height: 93.7 feet (28.6 meters)

Let’s start big. In 2024, Sebastian Steudtner (Go Germany!) carved his name into surf history by riding an 93-foot monster at Nazaré.

That wave was so massive it took Guinness months to confirm it as the biggest wave ever surfed. If you’ve been to Nazaré, you know it’s not for the faint of heart. 

Think you’ve got what it takes? Better start practicing with A-Frame first.

  • Australian surfer Blake Johnston during his world record surf session
    Blake Johnston, an Australian surfer, is seen during his record-breaking surf session, the longest surf marathon ever

8. Most waves surfed in 24 hours

  • World Record Holder: Blake Johnston (Australia)

  • Waves Surfed: 707 waves in 40 hours

In 2023, former pro surfer and ultra-endurance athlete Blake Johnston paddled out for a full 40 hours (yes, FORTY) to raise money for mental health.

He caught 707 waves, smashing the previous record and raising over $300,000 AUD. That’s an average of nearly 18 waves per hour. We’d be happy with half that on a good day!

  • Surfer rides a river wave on the Amazon
    A surfer rides the famous pororoca, a huge tidal wave that forms a long, surfable wave on the Amazon River

7. Longest wave ever ridden (river edition)

  • Record Holder: Serginho Laus (Brazil)

  • Location: Pororoca River, Brazil

  • Wave Duration/Length: 37 minutes and 7.3 miles (11.8 kilometers)

Not all epic waves break in the ocean. The Pororoca is an Amazon River tidal bore wave that travels hundreds of kilometers upriver. Brazilian surfer Serginho Laus rode one non-stop for 37 minutes back in 2006.

That’s basically a full sitcom episode on a surfboard. Wild.

  • Surfer rides a sea wave over a record-breaking distance
    A surfer glides elegantly over a seemingly endless ocean wave, covering an extraordinarily long distance in the process

6. Longest distance surfed on an ocean wave

  • Record Holder: Gary Saavedra (Panama)

  • Distance: 66.4 kilometers (41.25 miles)

Okay, this one comes with a twist. Gary Saavedra surfed behind a boat on Panama’s Lake Gatun for over 3 hours straight. While purists might argue it wasn’t a natural wave, there’s no denying the stamina and balance it takes to ride a wave—any wave—for 66 kilometers.

That’s a surf marathon that gives Blake Johnston a run for his money!

  • The young surfer Quincy Symonds, known as the
    Quincy Symonds, the Australian female surfing prodigy with the nickname "Flying Squirrel"

5. Youngest competitive surfer

  • Record Holder: Quincy Symonds aka "The Flying Squirrel" (Australia)

  • Age: 4 years old

Quincy started surfing at age 2 and was competing in events by 4. Nicknamed "The Flying Squirrel", she quickly became a mini legend in the Australian surf scene.

While most of us were still figuring out which shoe went on which foot, Quincy was pulling into waves and throwing shakas at Snapper Rocks. 

Best not towatch this if you value your self-esteem!

  • 110 surfers ride the same wave in Muizenberg, South Africa
    A wide, cheerful scene shows 110 surfers on a single wave on Muizenberg beach in Cape Town, a world record from 2009

4. Most surfers riding a single wave

  • Record Set In: Cape Town, South Africa (2009)

  • Participants: 110 surfers

Imagine the party wave to end all party waves. That’s what happened in Muizenberg, South Africa, where 110 surfers managed to ride the same wave at the same time.

Crazy to think surfers of all people could pull this off. We're not the best organisers, after all. We guess this just proves that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

  • 89-year-old surfer Seiichi Sano rides a wave
    89-year-old Seiichi Sano rides a wave with calm confidence and astonishing balance

3. World's oldest surfer

  • Record Holder: Seiichi Sano (Japan)

  • Age: 89 years old

Seiichi Sano started surfing at the age of 80. That’s right… EIGHTY. And he didn’t stop there. 

By 89, he was officially recognized as the oldest competitive surfer on record. It’s never too late to start paddling out. Just maybe give your joints a proper warm-up first.

  • 66 surfers on a single giant surfboard in Redondo Beach, California
    In Redondo Beach, California, 66 surfers balanced on a giant, custom-made surfboard and rode a wave together to set a world record

2. Most people riding one surfboard

  • Record Holder: Redondo Beach, California (USA)

  • Number of People: 66

In 2015, a group of surfers in Redondo Beach, California decided to attempt breaking the previous record for most people riding one surfboard at the same time. And they succeeded!

With an incredible 66 people riding together, they shattered the previous record of 47, set in South Africa. The surfboard itself was an engineering marvel, measuring 42 feet in length, 11 feet 1 inch in width and 1 foot 4.4 inches thick.

We can only imagine the cost of flying with that size surfboard. Yikes!

  • Sugar the Surfing Dog on the shore preparing to ride a wave
    Sugar the Surfing Dog stands beside her owner on the beach, surfboard by her side, moments before heading into the waves

1. Most surfing championships (won by a dog)

  • Record Holder: Sugar the Surfing Dog (USA)

  • Events: World Dog Surfing Championships, Surf City Surf Dog, Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge

Sugar the Surfing Dog isn’t just a crowd favorite. She’s a wave-riding legend.

With titles from the World Dog Surfing Championships, Surf City Surf Dog and the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge, Sugar is the undisputed Stephanie Gilmore of dog surfing.

Now she’s officially part of surf history. Sugar becomes the first dog ever inducted into the prestigious Surfers’ Hall of Fame. And we here at A-Frame think it’s about time.

Ready to make your own record?

You don’t need to ride an 93-foot wave or surf for 40 hours to make your mark in the surf world.

At A-Frame, we believe every session is a personal milestone... whether it’s your first pop-up or your first green wave. 

Then again, if you do manage to catch 708 waves in a day, we’ll be the first to cheer you on (and maybe make you a trophy out of driftwood).

What others have to say

  • Sebastian Münkel

    a week ago

    Absolutely fantastic time we had here, great beaches, lovely staff, fantastic food, -- no really, the food is among the best I have ever had, day after day -- very lovely guests and super convenient distances to the surfing.

    - Surfing: the whole schedule is centered around the surf times, and for good reason. The staff make sure that the groups always get the best waves of the day, even if that means taking a short drive somewhere else. The equipment is great for learners (I cannot judge the hard tops etc) with clean, relatively new, and fitting wet-suits. In addition to the lessons we can always go for more sessions privately, with access to the equipment.

    - Lessons: The teachers are fantastic, their joy is contagious, they made learning super fun. In addition to great individual feedback there are additional offerings in terms of lectures, e.g. on wave theory. The video analysis also really helps to internalize some additional feedback. But again, the teachers are great!

    - Food: Great food, always accommodating dietary restrictions, and with great variety. Every meal is different to the last, the meals are flexible if you're almost an hour late it's still usually fine, and they make sure you have enough of all the food you could want. Unlimited coffee, tea and fruit is also a great addition. Beer and wine cost extra, but at basically no markup. But once again: best food, fantastic, 6/5.

    - Lodgings: Apartments where you will either be with the group you traveled with, or other guests. Clean, quiet, daily cleaning, everything you really need if you want to retreat during the day, or even cook a meal. WiFi is fast enough to fulfill most use cases.

    - Common areas: allow all levels of socializing, provide fantastic views, promote meeting your fellow surfers.

    - Yoga: I am not a fan of yoga, so I didn't do any, but the ones who did said is was great.

    - Additional services: Photos from your surfing adventures and mishaps are available, massages, additional outings outside of the surf lessons (for example surf-skating) are on offer as well, providing a beautiful well rounded programme for the entire day.

    - Vibes: 10/10, chill, social, down-to-earth, helpful.

    Overall, better holiday than for example a ski trip in November (and I love skiing too). Come here!

  • Tobias_ keller.t

    6 months ago

    This has already been our second stay at A-Frame and again it was a super relaxed week and overall a holiday that can‘t be much better. We, a family with a toddler, can ony recommend this place to other families who are looking for a relaxed holiday with yoga, surf and amazing food. The people at A-Frame from surf coach to kitchen staff are just super friendly and you feel very much taken care at all times. Thanks so much to the whole team for another great holiday experience. We‘ll be back for sure.

  • Victor Lombardi

    6 months ago

    Pretty much a perfect vacation. I learned to surf, did a lot of yoga, soaked up the beautiful weather, ate delicious food, and met some wonderful people. I don't speak German or Spanish and the staff switched to English to make everything easy for me. El Palmar is a very chill area and from there it's easy to make day trips to Conil, Vejer, and Cádiz.

  • Yoav Nassau

    a year ago

    Thoroughly enjoyed our stayed at A-Frame. Super friendly and helpful staff. We were always received with a smile and welcoming attitude. Shoutout to the kitchen people who were kind, and did an incredible job of serving tasty, healthy, and varied food that we all loved. We came with three small children and they all had a great time - surf lessons, board games, ping-pong table among other fun activities.

    The house was spacious, well-kept, and clean. Would definitely stay there again if visiting El Palmar in the future.

  • Inga

    a month ago

    One of the best sufcamps I´ve visited so far. Excellent sufcoaches with a great accomodation and catering nearby the beach.

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