Sun Bum, a Cocoa Beach-based sunscreen company, attempted to set a world record for the most people surfing in banana suits during its Smells Like Summer Tour event at Minutemen Causeway on Sunday, June 21. The event drew dozens of participants, who donned bright yellow suits and rode waves along the Cocoa Beach shoreline. The company’s marketing team confirmed the attempt was part of a broader campaign to promote its products and engage with the local community. The event took place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with organizers coordinating with Cocoa Beach lifeguards to ensure safety.
The record attempt was not officially verified by Guinness World Records, but Sun Bum’s CEO, Sarah Mitchell, said the company planned to submit footage for consideration. Mitchell said the idea originated from a brainstorming session with employees in March. ‘We wanted something fun that reflected our brand’s playful side,’ she said. Participants ranged in age from 8 to 65, with many wearing Sun Bum-branded swimwear and applying the company’s sunscreen before entering the water.
Local photographer Malcolm Denemark captured images of the event, which included a pre-surfing dance party on the beach and a post-event picnic. Denemark said the scene was ‘chaotic but joyful.’ One participant, 12-year-old Ethan Carter, said he ‘didn’t care if it was a record’—he just wanted to ‘look silly and have fun.’ The event also featured a raffle for free sunscreen and a live performance by a local band.
Sun Bum has held similar events in Daytona Beach and Cape Canaveral in previous years, but this was the first time the company tried to set a world record. The company’s website listed the event as a ‘limited-time experience,’ with no plans to repeat it unless the record attempt is successful. Lifeguard Captain Mark Thompson said the beach was ‘crowded but controlled,’ with no major incidents reported during the event.