A new gigantic surfboard built in Australia became the 2015 Guinness World Record holder as the largest surfboard June 20. It was measured and determined to be a “significant” increase in length of 2 inches and 1 inch in width over the last record holder. They are significant in that it triggers a new entry into the Guinness Book of Records.
The Australian design and fabrication team wanted to have the “maiden voyage” and Guinness event in Huntington Beach, Calif., “Where surfing founded its roots,” said their spokesperson.
Australia has a significant surfing community in its own right. Australian surfing is said to have begun in 1914 when the Hawaiian Olympic champion, Duke Kahanamoku, re-introduced the sport of surfing to Australia, according to the Australia Surfing site.
The website surfingcal.com describes the history of surfing in California as beginning in 1885, when three Hawaiian princes who were attending school in San Mateo, Calif., headed down to Santa Cruz and surfed using boards made of local redwood.
But the apparent turning point was when Duke Kahanamoku surfed in San Diego in 1916 and inspired his fellow Olympic swimming mate Tom Blake. The two toured California in the 1920s, giving surfing demonstrations.
According to the Guinness Book of Records’ website, the 2005 surfboard Guinness winner was 40 feet long and 10 feet wide, capable of carrying 47 passengers on the board at Snapper Rocks, Australia.
Huntington Beach Guinness World Record Attempt
This reporter was standing next to the Guinness representative Michael Empric from New York, when Empric suddenly moved away to do his work of measuring both the length and width of the 1,300-pound surfboard.
The measurements were written down and compared to the 2005 board’s measurements. Guinness’s Empric then announced that the board before him established a new Guinness entry in both measurements for this category, causing the crowd to roar with excitement. The new board measurements are approximately 42 feet long and 11 feet wide.
The surfboard is massive. It weighs about 1,300 pounds. The designation of the “World’s Largest” surfboard will be announced after a final review is made by the Guinness organization.
Watching how the measurements were made, the Guinness organization may wish to obtain more exact measurements to determine the true width and length of the surfboard, which was carried with a tape measure over a relatively long curved surface for both the width and a sharp curved forepeak that could over, or understate, the measurements that Michael Empric, their representative made earlier. The goal is the biggest surfboard ... time will tell whether the bowed surfaces reverse or confirm the new award.
Today found still another new Guinness record for the most surfers riding on a single board. Sixty-six volunteers from the bystanders remained on another large surfboard beyond the breakers with none falling off for the required 11 seconds. The team scored the full 66 points.
The event brought together a very exciting experience for all involved. The questioned measurements will continue the suspense until Guinness makes its announcement.
