Kayak Parade On Toms River Officially Gains World Record Status

PINE BEACH, NJ — It's official: Paddle for the Bay has broken the world record for number of kayaks and canoes in a parade on the water.

Officials with the Guinness Book of World Records have certified the parade that was held on the Toms River as the largest parade of canoes and kayaks in the world.

"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 entry on the Guinness World Records website says. It shattered the previous record set of 329 set in Poland in 2018.

Save Barnegat Bay, which assisted with the event and benefited from the $10 entry fee each participant paid to take part, posted on Facebook Dec. 22 that they had received official notice from Guinness officials.

"Good Morning!!! WE DID IT! NEW World Record Set!!!!" the post said. "We were sent verification yesterday!!!! Woo-Hoo! #bestgiftever Sending BIG KUDOS to the Borough of Pine Beach, Pine Beach Yacht Club, everyone that helped in any way, all the volunteers, supporters and paddlers …. and of course the amazing … Sandra & Rudy Rinderer, whose dreams, leadership and dedication made it all happen!! Guinness World Record Merry Christmas."

Sandy Rinderer had hoped to have 500 participants at the August event, which had paddlers cover a 1-mile course on the Toms River, paddling from Pine Beach downriver a half mile toward Barnegat Bay before turning around and returning to the Pine Beach starting point.

The response blew her away. People drove from as far as Ohio to participate, and one family that was vacationing in the area from California extended its stay to participate.

"I'm so thrilled," Rinderer said that day in August. "My little idea of having some friends get together really turned into something." Read more: Kayak-Canoe Parade Draws World Record-Setting Fleet To Barnegat Bay

"People really are emotionally connected to our waterways," said Britta Forsberg, executive director of Save Barnegat Bay. The organization, which is supported by donations and grants, provided the insurance support for the event.

The organization received $13,000 as a result of the donations to Paddle for the Bay, according to a September Facebook post.

"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 post said. "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!"

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