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Blake Johnston, a former professional surfer and prominent mental health advocate, is preparing to tackle his latest physical and emotional endurance challenge this July: surpassing 108 hours of surfing in the chilled, recirculated waters of the URBNSURF Sydney wave pool.
Johnston, a coach, keynote speaker, and founder of the Cronulla Surf Academy, rose to national prominence in 2023 after completing a 40-hour surf marathon that raised over $450,000 for the Chumpy Pullin Foundation. The feat was inspired by the approaching 10-year anniversary of his father’s death by suicide.
“He was a brickie. A builder. Raised five kids. Never got ahead with money,” Johnston said. “He didn’t complain, but he didn’t have the kind of relationship where he could connect with people. He was stoic. In the ’50s and ’60s, expressing vulnerability wasn’t normal.”
Now, Johnston is channeling the same energy into a new personal project: attempting to break the URBNSURF monthly surfing record, currently held by Ed Robinson, who logged 108 hours last winter. The record was achieved through grueling nine-hour days, with Robinson sleeping in his car between sessions while working nights.
Unlike Robinson, Johnston will juggle his attempt with full-time work, family responsibilities, and a mid-month break. By his estimate, he’ll need to average more than four and a half hours of surfing each day to set a new benchmark.
Surfing as a Tool for Mental Health
Johnston’s efforts go beyond athleticism. As a mental health advocate, he has increasingly shifted focus from competitive success to emotional wellbeing—especially among young surfers.
“No one’s got life sorted,” Johnston explained. “We tell young people what to do, but rarely take the time to actually experience life with them. Whether it’s a 17-year-old or a 65-year-old, nobody has it figured out. There’s no one right way to live.”
His Cronulla Surf Academy, originally built to develop elite talent like CT competitor Connor O’Leary and World Junior Champion Jarvis Earle, now incorporates a broader emphasis on personal growth. Through a program called “Swellbeing,” Johnston encourages young surfers to confront personal challenges, engage in cold plunges, and step outside their comfort zones.
“We just got back from Bali,” Johnston shared. “I took some kids, including my son. They paddled out through the cave at six-foot Uluwatu. It was real. They’ll remember it forever.”
From Surf Coach to Author and Speaker
Johnston is also preparing to release a book chronicling lessons from his life, parenting, coaching, and endurance surfing. A publisher has already offered a $25,000 advance based on the manuscript, which he describes as a heartfelt reflection rather than a traditional self-help guide.
“People kept telling me to write a book, so I reached out to an editor,” he said. “It’s just me saying, ‘If I can do it, anyone can.’ I want it to reach young people, to show them they’re worthy and capable—even if they don’t have it all figured out.”
In addition to writing, Johnston is currently traveling for speaking engagements focused on mental resilience, youth mentorship, and the value of discomfort as a growth mechanism.
Chasing Curiosity Over Charity
Unlike his 2023 surfathon, Johnston’s upcoming wave pool challenge is not tied to fundraising. Instead, it is driven by curiosity and a desire for personal growth.
“I’m going all in on it,” he said. “Between family and business, I’ll be driving to Homebush whenever I can. The water gets down to 10 degrees. It’s going to be tough—especially in a 5/4 wetsuit and with less flotation in the pool. It’ll be a bit of a battle.”
His son will accompany him throughout the month, participating as a sort of real-time case study to track progress and skill development.
“We’ll see what improvement we can document in his surfing,” Johnston said. “He’ll do as many hours as he can.”
He’s also using the month-long experiment to test out board designs in varying conditions, searching for what he calls “the ultimate wave pool board”—a shape that works in both one-foot and five-foot waves.
The Repetition Is the Reward
For Johnston, the value lies not in numbers but in commitment. The unlimited Winter Warrior Pass offered by URBNSURF enables surfers to explore their physical and mental limits throughout July.
“It’s not about a grand reason,” Johnston said. “You don’t need one. The repetition is the challenge—but it’s also the medicine.”
