An extraordinary display of community and connection is set to put Cronulla, NSW on the global stage again this March as 1,000 individuals paddle out, link arms and unite as one to break the record for the World’s Biggest Paddle Out, while also raising funds and awareness for youth mental health.
In 2023 the world watched on as Blakey Johnston broke the record for the World’s Longest Surf, and now Blakey is making waves again! Except this time he’s inviting the whole community along with him for this next record attempt – the WORLD’S BIGGEST PADDLE OUT.
But it’s more than just a record – at the heart of this event is community, and just like his past initiatives, Blakey’s goal is to raise vital funds for youth mental health. Proceeds will fund mental health workshops for primary and high school students, helping to establish positive habits and mental wellness practices from an early age. The event has partnered with Find Ya Feet and OneWave, two respected charities that are dedicated to delivering life-changing mental health education to young people.
The current record for the Biggest Paddle out is 511, held by a group who paddled out at Huntington Beach, USA in June of 2017. To break the record, participants need to link arms in the water to form a giant, unbroken circle for a minimum of 60 seconds.
Getting the numbers to paddle out together is one thing, organising them into a circle and having them link up in the ocean for over a minute is even more difficult. That’s part of the reason why the Huntington record has stood for so long.
Blake is no stranger to challenges though, and this time he’ll bring hundreds along with him, because at the end of the day, everyone deserves to feel awesome!
The paddle out will be followed by the annual Cronulla Surf Festival, featuring live music, a surfboard demo day, a tag-team surfing event, a vintage surfboard exhibition and fun for the whole family.
In 2023, former professional surfer and local legend Blakey Johnston made history by surfing for 40 hours straight at Cronulla’s Alley, surpassing the previous world record by over 10 hours. During this remarkable feat, Blakey caught 707 waves and raised more than $400,000 for mental health initiatives. His dedication, fueled by personal experience with the loss of his father to suicide in 2013, earned him global recognition for his inspiring achievement.
Blakey’s contributions to mental health advocacy didn’t stop there. In 2024, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Sutherland Shire Council, awarded Local Hero of Miranda Westfield, and honored with the Aloha Award in Memory of John Shimooka by Surfing NSW, recognising his commitment to the cause and the legacy of his late friend and fellow surfer. Now, 2025 is set to see a whole new wave of people join him in his mission to make everyone feel awesome!
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, 15th March 2025
Time: Participants will begin paddling out at 7:00 AM. The event is scheduled to take place over three hours.
Location: South Cronulla Beach, Cronulla, NSW
The Cronulla Surf Festival continues the celebration at Dunningham Park, Cronulla from 10:00 AM.
To register or for more information about the Paddle Out and the Cronulla Surf Festival, visit:
https://cronullasurffestival.com/
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