This past weekend, 300 surfers over the age of 50 gathered on the shores of Santos, Sao Paulo, aiming to set a new world record for the most people riding a single wave. Organized by a local surf school focused on teaching older adults, the event not only celebrated the thrill of surfing but also promoted community and well-being. Participants, many of whom had taken up surfing later in life, arrived early, ready to embrace the waves and the unique camaraderie that surfing fosters.
For Christiane Melin, one of the participants, surfing became an unbreakable habit soon after she began. “I had a crazy desire to learn, and once I started, I couldn’t stop,” she shared. “It’s an addiction, but it’s a good one. Riding the waves gives you a really great sensation.” Melin’s words echoed the sentiments of many others present, who have found surfing to be a source of joy, health, and connection with nature.
Cisco Arana, the event’s organizer, highlighted the gathering’s deeper purpose. “This is a great example to show the world the importance of togetherness,” he said. “After the pandemic and beyond politics, we can all be on the same wave.” The event emphasized unity and resilience, bringing people together through their shared passion for surfing and its many benefits, including mental and physical wellness.
Despite their enthusiasm and determination, the group fell short of breaking the world record set in South Africa in 2009, when 110 surfers successfully caught a wave together. In Santos, 98 surfers managed to catch a wave at once. However, the attempt underscored the event’s real focus: the power of surfing to change lives.
For people like Marco Horta, a retiree who participated, surfing offered a fresh start. “There were people who were retired, some who felt a bit idle, some dealing with depression or personal challenges,” he explained. “Then they got into surfing. While out in nature, people talked, made friends, and started to feel happy.” Surfing provided an avenue not only for physical exercise but also for social connection, which proved invaluable for many in overcoming feelings of isolation or stagnation.
Although they didn’t break the record, the gathering in Santos demonstrated the profound impact of surfing on personal well-being and community solidarity. It was a celebration of life and shared joy, a powerful reminder that age is no barrier to new adventures and meaningful connections. The surfers in Sao Paulo left the water energized, inspired, and bonded, showing that the love of surfing can indeed bring people together on “the same wave.”
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