By Paul Butler
Every year, a few of us from the Ray White network pack up our boards and head to Indonesia in search of waves and a bit of perspective. It’s become something of a ritual. A chance to step away from the noise, reconnect and see the world a little differently.
The trip’s been running for years now. It started with Brian White and, as the next generation came through, Dan White began to lead the crew. These days it’s a mix of us from different parts of the business – some in commercial, others in residential or hotels. It’s part escape, part reset and a space to learn from each other in ways not possible in a boardroom.
We don’t always know who’s going to be on the boat. Friends of friends often tag along. That’s how I first met Blake Johnston.
Blake Johnston
A BAREFOOT BLUR IN JAKARTA
We’d landed in Jakarta, staying overnight before the boat trip began. The next morning, I looked out and saw a bloke running barefoot down the street. Middle of Jakarta. No shoes. Just charging. That was my first impression of Blake.
It was only weeks after he set the world record for the longest continuous surf after more than 40 hours in the water, catching a wave roughly every two minutes and racking up 707 waves in the process. He barely mentioned this achievement at first. But over the following days, the story behind it slowly came out.
Blake’s not driven by ego or money. He’s a mental health advocate, surf coach and founder of Cronulla Surf Academy who works closely with kids. He’s motivated by helping people, especially young people, build strength from the inside out. That world record wasn’t about ticking a box. It was about raising awareness for youth mental health, powered by a belief that showing up for yourself and others truly matters.
Nine Australians take their own life every day. Blake’s dad was one of them. Since then, Blake’s made it his mission to help others find the tools they need to stay alive. His incredible, gruelling surf ended up raising over $415,000 for the Chumpy Pullin Foundation and Youth Mental Health Foundation.
Mentawai Islands
SALT WATER AND CONVERSATION
Being out on the water with someone like Blake shifts your perspective. Some of the crew weren’t experienced surfers, yet within days, thanks to Blake’s quiet encouragement, they were up and riding.
We talked a lot, as you do on these trips. What struck me was how much Blake puts his body and mind on the line for something bigger than himself.
Right now he’s in the middle of another challenge: to beat the record for the most hours surfed in a wave pool in a month. The current record of 108 hours was set in Melbourne last year by construction worker and surf resort co-owner Ed Robinson. To eclipse Ed’s record, Blake will spend more than four hours a day in the water at URBNSURF in western Sydney. He’s calling it “Wet July”.
As I write this, Blake’s up to his 1500th wave and about to embark on his 100th session in 11 days. As usual, Blake’s going all in. The pool water temperature is just 11 degrees. He doesn’t need a grand reason to push himself. Going outside of his comfort zone, committing, pushing himself. They’re enough.
What strikes me about Blake isn’t the scale of what he’s done or doing. It’s the way he shows up, consistently and humbly, for himself and the people around him. Watching someone like Blake push himself hard for something meaningful reminds you that looking after yourself, physically and mentally, is just as important as anything else.
LESSONS BEYOND THE LINE-UP
I’ve thought a lot about that trip since, especially in the context of leadership and culture in business. On the surface, the surfing odysseys are about catching waves. But they’re a symbol of so much more. Humanity. Empathy. A reminder that we all tick to our own clocks. Some people go a million miles an hour, others need time to find their rhythm. A good leader creates space for both.
Blake reminds me that strength looks different for everyone and that part of our role as mentors, leaders, or even just mates, is to be aware of that. It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe to push themselves, and supported when they need to pull back.
There’s a WhatsApp group with all the guys from that trip. Every now and then someone posts an update or a photo and it brings it all back. That sense of camaraderie, the stories, the challenge of the waves, the deeper stuff that isn’t said out loud.
There’s something powerful about seeing people back themselves…and something equally powerful in learning to back others.
Looking back, I realise these trips aren’t just about chasing surf. They’re about surfacing something else: connection, understanding and a bit of soul.
Paul Butler is a Director of Ray White Commercial Noosa & Sunshine Coast, a Registered Valuer, Associate of the API, member of the REIQ and keen surfer.
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