Surfing Circle of Honor: 511 surfers paddled out at Huntington Beach

Five hundred eleven surfers have broken the Guinness World Record for the largest paddle out ever recorded, at Huntington Beach, California.

Despite the fog, the strong currents, and the choppy waters, 511 surfers were able to form an unbroken "Surfing Circle of Honor" to raise awareness of the International Surfing Museum.

The event attracted people of all ages and experience levels and also helped promote Huntington Beach as the potential surfing village for the 2024 Olympic Games if Los Angeles wins the bid.

Jericho Poppler, winner of the 1976 and 1977 Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships, but also Brett Simpson and Courtney Conlogue participated in the record-breaking meeting.

It took a while to form the human ring, and for the Guinness World Record to be considered, surfers had to hold hands for at least 60 seconds.

The process was a bit chaotic and took hours to complete. Some surfers got tired and paddled in, and the organization had to ask people who were surfing to join the "Surfing Circle of Honor."

In the end, Mayor Barbara Delgleize was ecstatic with the official results. Another Guinness World Record had been broken at Huntington Beach Pier.

Top Stories

We can't choose our height, and 80 percent of it is genetic. But if you're into surfing, taller and shorter surfers feel noticeable differences in getting acquainted with boards, paddling for, and riding a wave.

Cole Houshmand and Caitlin Simmers have claimed the 2024 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

Ryan Crosby is the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the World Surf League (WSL).

Nothing fuels more controversy in and outside the water than awarding scores for waves ridden in competitive surfing.