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.
Lachlan Campbell (The Surfing Copywriter)
Lachlan Campbell

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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).

Make your own surf records here