A New Jersey paddle event has broken the Guinness World Record. The organizers were notified in December that their kayak and canoe parade with 1,105 paddlers surpassed the previous record of 329 participants. The event, Paddle For the Bay, took place in August on the Toms River and was organized by Sandra Rinderer. The Guinness World Records website states, "The largest parade of canoes/kayaks is 1,105, and was achieved by 'Paddle for the Bay' and Sandra Rinderer (all USA), in Pine Beach, New Jersey, USA, on 20 August 2022." The event benefited the nonprofit Save Barnegat Bay.
After the announcement, they posted on their Facebook page, "Good Morning!!! WE DID IT! NEW World Record Set!!!!" the post said. "We were sent verification yesterday!!!! Woo-Hoo!"
Save Barnegat Bay was equally thrilled with the turnout. It runs solely on donations and grants, and it received $13,000 total in donations from participants' entry fees.
"We have no words for the kindness and generosity you all have shown us and our organization, and it is because of you all that we can protect our Bay," the organization wrote. "We will put this money to good use in supporting the important initiatives and programs we have worked hard to develop. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, and we need to pay a special thanks to our friend, Sandy Rinderer, whose dream and dedication turned into a history-making and world record-breaking cherished memory for us all. Thank you, everyone!"
Executive Director Britta Forsberg said, "People really are emotionally connected to our waterways."
