PE World Record!

Enduring four mini-seasons - windy, calm, sunny and freezing - in his day-night-day session from Saturday at noon until yesterday evening, Enslin lasted 30 hours and 11 minutes. The previous record by American Ben Shaw was 29 hours 27 minutes.

Enslin caught 455 waves, which equals one wave every four minutes. And he raised R30,000 was raised for the CYOH Charity Drive.

"The toughest part was the 2am to 4am stretch, when "conditions were freezing, fatigue had set in, and my body was freezing. The waves had picked up as well, so I was duck diving all the time. I was thinking, 'push forward, you can do this,' and on the 27th hour I knew I had it."

When it was all over, Josh helped to pack up with the CYOH Surf Club crew. "I still had some energy left, but this was clearly from the hype, as when I got home I passed out in thirty seconds."

When it was all over, all Josh had left to do was thank people. "I really want to thank the CYOH Surf Club, Jakes, my fiancé, mom and dad and step-dad and all my family and friends for the support," said Josh. "Also a massive thanks to Billabong and all the amazing sponsors for making this a reality."

The World Record (The Longest Surfing Marathon) has yet to be officially announced by Guinness, as they will go through the event footage before making the official announcement, but it does seem like a done deal.

A FEW WORDS WITH NEW RECORD HOLDER JOSH, by SANDY COFFEY

So, how do you feel today?
Wow, I feel stoked that I managed to do this.  It feels a bit surreal, a bit wild, but I am so proud of my body and the way it came through for me.  I feel super grateful to everyone – my fiancé Shelley, my family, friends supporters, sponsors – everyone who came to the beach – the paramedics, everyone.  This wasn’t an individual thing.  I’m also so chuffed for the charity – we busy sorting it all out now but it’s looking like we got more than we expected.

What was the hardest part?
There were two.  Between 2 and 4 on Sunday morning.  The temperature had plummeted and the swell came in, so I had to duck dive more than usual – which put me into near hypothermia.  I was burning precious energy and literally freezing.  That, plus the constant awareness about sharks.  It just feels more vulnerable at night. The second time I nearly bailed was around the 25th hour when I developed Arc Eye from the UV rays, the sun, the wind and the salt. I couldn’t see out my right eye and I knew I was in danger of becoming temporarily blind.  But we managed to get some medical advice and some drops, and then someone bought me a pair of goggles, which were a life saver.  I don’t think my eyes would have lasted without them. Small things can sometimes mean big things.

What made you carry on?
The supporters, friends and family on the beach throughout the night.  Without a doubt.  I kept seeing them there and I knew I couldn’t let them down.  That, and the surfers who surfed with me all the time.  Sometimes, we had in depth conversations and sometimes, just silence.  But knowing that I had company made all the difference.  Knowing it wasn’t just about me kept me in the water.

Did you prepare sufficiently?
To be honest, no.  My advice to the next person who attempts this crazy thing is:  Prepare and train all your muscles, not just the surfing ones.  I cramped up in the weirdest parts of my body.  Sure my equipment, my food, my water intake, my core training all served me well, but I would have done more actual body work. Also, I would have researched much more, what water can do to a body, to eyes, to skin. I would have been more prepared if I had known that.

Describe the moment you knew you had made it?
Pure love.  For my fiancé Shelley (she never slept for 30 hours), my family, friends, and for surfing.  I felt overwhelmed.  It still hasn’t sunk in.

What were you thoughts when you entered the ocean knowing you had 30 hours ahead?
To be honest, it was a relief.  Nice to be in the water. I had spent the previous week doing so much publicity and stuff, so once I got into the sea, it was real, it was here and I was curious and excited.  I am an under the radar guy so it was quite hardcore having to do so much PR work.

What was the first thing you did when you got home?
I lay next to Shelley, we had a massage, fell asleep, naked, in each others arms.  

What’s next?
Managing the CYOH Surf Club Development Fund into a charity that will continue to make a difference, one blanket at a time.