If you’ve ever wanted to set a world record for surfing, you better start learning how to go without sleep, too: Australian Blake Johnston just set a new one with an epic 40-hour session on the waves.
It wasn’t just for bragging rights: Johnston, 40, lost his father to a mental health condition 10 years ago. He set out to tackle the marathon effort in his honor and to raise money for charity; he ended up generating more than a quarter of a million bucks in American dollars, far more than he initially set out to raise.
The money will support both the Chumpy Pullin Foundation, dedicated to bringing sport to underserved communities, and youth mental health initiatives.
The Sydney Morning Herald notes when Johnston reached the previous record of 30 hours, 11 minutes, he admitted to being “pretty cooked.” But he jumped back into the waters at Cronulla Beach and surfed on, riding an estimated 700 waves starting from Thursday morning to Friday afternoon Australian EDT.
The Herald showed a photo of the bearded, cowboy hat-wearing thrill seeker being carried on the shoulders of his friends after getting out of the drink. He was later whisked away for hospital observation.
You can still donate here as a way to give Johnston a “good on ya,” as they say Down Under.