The longest distance wave surfed on open water was 43.1 mi (66.47 km) by Gary Saavedra (Panama) surfing on the Panama Canal in Panama City, Panama, on 19 March 2011. Saavedra followed a wave-creating boat in covering the distance for 3 hr 55 min 02 sec, also breaking a record for the longest time spent surfing a wave. Saavedra was the first person ever allowed by the Panama Canal Authority to surf the canal.

Saavedra is a 13-time national surfing champion in Panama.