A 99-year-old from Ohio broke the world record for oldest crowd surfer, completing a goal from a bucket list compiled for a documentary about his life.
The man, who retired at 83, began creating social media content with his grandson Ross in 2013 after a video of him blocking a basketball shot went viral. The pair now have more than 4 million followers on Instagram, where they post comedy skits together.
When developing the documentary, they decided to pursue a world record as part of a broader bucket list. Ross and the man spent months brainstorming ideas that would be both outrageous and inclusive. They settled on attempting to become the world's oldest crowd surfer, which he successfully achieved at age 99.
The journey from retirement to social media fame began when Ross filmed his grandfather blocking his shot during a college visit in 2013, when the man was 87. The video gained traction online, and the pair capitalised on the momentum by creating short-form comedy content together. Their collaboration has sustained a significant following over more than a decade, turning their intergenerational dynamic into the foundation of a media presence.