An Eastern Cape surfer rode his way into the world record books on Sunday evening when he caught 455 waves during an epic 30 hour marathon session.
Not even the cold weather, intermittent rain, chafe, sunburn, aching muscles and swollen, burning, eyes from the hours in the water could stop Josh "Gypsy" Enslin from realising his dream of smashing the Guinness World Record longest surf marathon title.
Encouraged by massive support that camped out on Pollock Beach in Port Elizabeth overnight, the 30 year-old Eastern Cape retail manager of Billabong South Africa said afterwards the large crowds and the fact that he was attempting to break the record for charity kept him going during the wee hours of the morning as he battled fatigue and sleep deprivation.
"I am so happy to be finished," an exhausted Enslin told the Dispatch afterwards.
"I don’t think I would have made it if people had not come out to support me."
Encouraged and supported by a core crew of family, friends and members of Port Elizabeth surf club Create your own happening (Cyoh), Enslin never got lonely in the water as surfers took shifts throughout the record attempt to be with the water and help keep him going.
Besides the crew in the water, hundreds of supporters shouted encouragement from the beach as they jived the night away to tunes from a DJ that set-up on the beach.
Although there were some tense moments during the wee hours of the morning when an irate German who owns a flat nearby complained the music was too loud, he was told to go back to bed by police as volume levels were not excessive.
During his rant to authorities and organisers on two separate occasions he said his three children could not sleep before explaining that his "babies" were in fact dogs.
Surprised authorities explained permission had been granted by city officials and wished Enslin luck with his record attempt.
Unable to cope with being in burning saltwater for hours on end and with his face swelling up, Enslin had to put on diving goggles to try prevent him from pulling out for health reasons.
When he took to the water at noon on Saturday, the year-old record to beat was 29 hours and 27 minutes in the water and 300 waves caught by Californian Ben Shaw a year ago.
By the time Enslin finished 30 hours and 11 minutes after the start, he had smashed the record by catching and riding a mind boggling 455 waves.
A top provincial surfer, he was still smashing the lip of the waves 30 hours in - much to the delight of the spectators on the beach.
Able to bank five minutes down time out the water after every hour he spent out there, Enslin often ate energy food - even when the paramedics were doing tests during his breaks to monitor his health.
Supporters also came to the beach with old blankets, dog food and clothing which were being collected by Enslin for local groups working street children and animal welfare.
Surfing with a shark repellent pod on his ankle.
Although admitting to a lifelong fear of sharks since he first hit the water 22 years, the only marine sighting of creatures from the deep was when dolphins swam nearby.
Enslin was welcomed out the water each time by his fiancé Shelley Wells.
Eastern Cape surfer sets new world record
Not even the cold weather, intermittent rain, chafe, sunburn, aching muscles and swollen, burning, eyes from the hours in the water could stop Josh "Gypsy" Enslin from realising his dream of smashing the Guinness World Record longest surf marathon title.
Encouraged by massive support that camped out on Pollock Beach in Port Elizabeth overnight, the 30 year-old Eastern Cape retail manager of Billabong South Africa said afterwards the large crowds and the fact that he was attempting to break the record for charity kept him going during the wee hours of the morning as he battled fatigue and sleep deprivation.
"I am so happy to be finished," an exhausted Enslin told the Dispatch afterwards.
"I don’t think I would have made it if people had not come out to support me."
Encouraged and supported by a core crew of family, friends and members of Port Elizabeth surf club Create your own happening (Cyoh), Enslin never got lonely in the water as surfers took shifts throughout the record attempt to be with the water and help keep him going.
Besides the crew in the water, hundreds of supporters shouted encouragement from the beach as they jived the night away to tunes from a DJ that set-up on the beach.
Although there were some tense moments during the wee hours of the morning when an irate German who owns a flat nearby complained the music was too loud, he was told to go back to bed by police as volume levels were not excessive.
During his rant to authorities and organisers on two separate occasions he said his three children could not sleep before explaining that his "babies" were in fact dogs.
Surprised authorities explained permission had been granted by city officials and wished Enslin luck with his record attempt.
Unable to cope with being in burning saltwater for hours on end and with his face swelling up, Enslin had to put on diving goggles to try prevent him from pulling out for health reasons.
When he took to the water at noon on Saturday, the year-old record to beat was 29 hours and 27 minutes in the water and 300 waves caught by Californian Ben Shaw a year ago.
By the time Enslin finished 30 hours and 11 minutes after the start, he had smashed the record by catching and riding a mind boggling 455 waves.
A top provincial surfer, he was still smashing the lip of the waves 30 hours in - much to the delight of the spectators on the beach.
Able to bank five minutes down time out the water after every hour he spent out there, Enslin often ate energy food - even when the paramedics were doing tests during his breaks to monitor his health.
Supporters also came to the beach with old blankets, dog food and clothing which were being collected by Enslin for local groups working street children and animal welfare.
Surfing with a shark repellent pod on his ankle.
Although admitting to a lifelong fear of sharks since he first hit the water 22 years, the only marine sighting of creatures from the deep was when dolphins swam nearby.
Enslin was welcomed out the water each time by his fiancé Shelley Wells.
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