Newcastle Surfer Defies Illness to Complete Gruelling 7000-Wave Charity Mission
In a remarkable display of determination and community spirit, Newcastle surfer Josh Levey has overcome severe illness to complete an extraordinary challenge of riding 7000 waves in a single month. The 21-year-old's incredible feat, achieved despite battling food poisoning in the final hours, has raised an impressive $106,000 for local homelessness charity Soul Hub.
A Race Against Time and Illness
With just 150 waves remaining to reach his ambitious target of 7000 rides, Levey's dream nearly collapsed when he awoke at midnight on Saturday racked with food poisoning. The young surfer spent the early morning hours vomiting, with his friend and major supporter Daniel Brown also falling ill after sharing the same meal. "We were just sitting on the bed, pretty cooked," Levey recalled to the Newcastle Herald. "But there was no option. We had to do it. That was definitely such a tough moment to get up and do it."
Despite his physical distress, Levey dragged himself from his sickbed to Dixon Park Beach, where he completed the final 150 waves in front of 200 supportive onlookers. While the achievement won't be officially recognised due to verification requirements, records were never Levey's primary objective. The true victory lay in the substantial funds raised and the inspiration generated throughout the Newcastle community.
Community Support Drives Remarkable Fundraising
The fundraising results exceeded all expectations, with an astonishing $51,000 raised in just the final two days of the challenge. "We honestly didn't think we'd get to $100,000," Levey admitted. "But we just kept believing in it and somehow we pulled through in the last two days and got to 100 and it was such a miracle."
Levey described the moment he caught his 7000th wave as profoundly unifying. "The best feeling for me was this unity," he explained. "It wasn't just my win; it was everybody's win. That was definitely the most special thing for me."
From 5000 to 7000: An Evolving Challenge
When Levey began his challenge on New Year's Day, his initial goal was 5000 waves, which would have comfortably surpassed the world record of 4097 rides set by Sydney professional surfer Blakey Johnston in July. However, after establishing a strong pace in the first two weeks, Levey decided to raise the target significantly. "We realised there's so many people out there being impacted, so let's push for a bit more to see what we can do," he said.
The challenge took Levey to multiple locations including Port Stephens, Nobby's, Newcastle, Dixon Park, and even included a 14-hour marathon session with Blakey Johnston near Cronulla. This endurance test left Levey constantly dry heaving by day's end and resulted in physical effects including sea ulcers on his lips and weight loss.
Mental Fortitude Over Physical Limits
Surfing an average of 225 waves daily presented significant physical demands, but Levey reported that his body only experienced muscle soreness after he stopped surfing on Sunday. The greater challenge proved to be mental fatigue from surfing in difficult conditions. "Battling the elements definitely plays on your mind a lot because the reality is you're not having as much fun as you would be if you were catching good waves," Levey acknowledged.
What sustained him through these challenging moments was the broader purpose of his mission. "Just realising that this isn't just about you; this is something a lot bigger than something for yourself," he reflected. "That's what gets you through the hard days."
Looking Ahead to Future Challenges
While remaining tight-lipped about specific plans, Levey has promised that "Challenge Josh" will return to the water soon for more ambitious undertakings. "Nothing is confirmed yet, but 100 per cent, 'Challenge Josh' will be back," he declared, suggesting that this remarkable achievement may be just the beginning of his charitable surfing endeavours.
The success of Levey's challenge demonstrates how individual determination, when combined with community support, can create meaningful change for important local causes like homelessness support through Soul Hub.
