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500 miles in 16 days – Another World Record for Tom Jones

Starting out on Monday, August 6th, and finishing on Tuesday, August 21st, Tom completed his circumnavigation of Virginia’s Smith Mountain Lake to benefit The Tom Jones Foundation and the Safe Surfin’ Foundation.

Though it was not the original goal, Tom decided to see how fast he could paddle the entire 520-mile shoreline. Averaging just over 31 miles per day, that turned out to be 16 days with an actual distance traveled of just slightly over 500 miles.

Distance and time were verified by Virginia Fish & Game Department officials who, along with the local Smith Mountain Lake Fire & Rescue staff, became new friends to Tom’s fight against child abuse and Internet crimes against children.

Our thanks and admiration go out to Sheriff Mike Brown, Tony Martin and the staff of the Safe Surfin’ Foundation for the wonderful work they do. And, special thanks to Chef Parker Lee, Danny Misken, the Carilion Clinics and the Bedford County community for their friendship, hands-on support and generosity.

Upcoming Event – Virginia

Press Release

520-mile Smith Mountain Lake Paddle to fight child abuse and internet crimes against children

Extreme athlete Tom Jones will stand up paddle (SUP) the entire 520-mile shoreline of Smith Mountain Lake to raise awareness and funding for the Tom Jones Foundation and the Safe Surfin Foundation.

Tom Jones is the SUP distance world-record holder who, in 2010, paddled from Key West Florida to New York City. Tom is also the world record holder for consecutive marathons – a marathon every day for an incredible 121 days. On top of these feats and many other ultra-endurance records, Tom is a 7-time Muy Thai Kickboxing champ including two World Championships – the oldest competitor to win a world championship in the sport.

Tom himself was a victim of serious and long-term child abuse. He founded the Tom Jones Foundation do everything he could to prevent child abuse and fight for other victims. For this event, Tom is teaming up with the Safe Surfin’ Foundation which focuses specifically on Internet crimes against children. This national organization, founded by local hero, Sheriff Mike Brown, provides educational materials to kids, parents, teachers and schools about how to stay safe online while taking advantage of all the great things the Internet has to offer. Safe Surfin’ also provides tactically proven materials, programs and training to law enforcement agencies and personnel to teach them how to identify, track, apprehend and prosecute Internet predators.

Tom will be meeting with local news sources, business leaders and community members at various stops around the lake. The largest and most notable opportunity to meet Tom personally will be at the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Beach Bash at the Parkway Marina on August 25th. Tickets can be purchased on line for this live music and great food celebration where you can get in the water with Tom and try out the world’s fastest growing sport – Stand Up Paddling.

The Tom Jones Foundation and the Safe Surfin’ Foundation hope you will join local sponsors and supporters in contributing to this event.  Please help us prevent child abuse and fight Internet crimes against children by making a donation. 

Click on the Tom Jones Foundation link (blue and green Earth above right ) to make a donation using credit card or PayPal. 

You can also make a donation by mail.  Send your check to:

Tom Jones Foundation
16458 Bolsa Chica St. #154
Huntington Beach, CA 92649

The Tom Jones Foundation is a federally registered 501(c)3 corporation – Federal EIN #20-5125359. Your donations are tax deductible.

Make sure to check out the facebook link above for the latest news on Tom’s progress.  It looks like another World Record for Tom Jones (520 miles in 15 days)!  Thank you for your support!