Record-breaking surfers on crest of wave in Lahinch

Over 250 surfers at Lahinch, Co Clare, helped to set a Guinness World Record for the most surfers on one wave on Saturday.

Earlier, the chances of getting into the Guinness Book of Records looked bleak as small waves gently lapped the beach.

However, as the tide came in the waves rose and the attempt was launched shortly after 3pm with 250 surfers, led by Irish senior champion John McCarthy, cheered on by almost a thousand spectators.

The large group banged their boards, cheered and posed for photographs as last-minute instructions were bellowed by Lahinch Surf School instructors.

The surfers then gathered in a line 500 metres wide, waiting for the first waves to appear.

Oisín McGrath and fellow instructors shouted to the surfers as the tension rose and the waves came nearer.

Then organised and good-humoured pandemonium ensued as 250 surfers paddled furiously and attempted to climb up on their boards to catch the small wave and make history.

The accident rate was high as surfers collided and fell off their boards, however, the many survivors were spurred on by MC Hector Ó hEochagáin and managed to ride the wave for five seconds into the beach.

It appeared they had broken the record on their first attempt, however, Guinness Book of Records adjudicator Pam Schoenhofer, standing on the prom wall, was inscrutable and successive attempts were made with cameras perched at various angles to record the exact number of surfers in each bid.

After more than an hour in the water and 20 separate attempts, the instructors told the surfers that the record had been broken.

The previous record was 42 surfers on one wave. Clare County Council is currently spending €1 million on facilities for surfers and children at Lahinch.