Neb. Life

Longest journey by pumkin boat taken down Missouri River

Duane Hansen, a 60-year-old Nebraska man, is one of the Guinness Book of World Record’s newest record holders. He performed the incredible feat of paddling down the Missouri River for 38 miles riding inside a hollowed-out pumpkin. Hansen wanted to break the Guinness world record for “the longest journey by pumpkin boat.” Hansen, known for growing massive pumpkins, was the perfect candidate for this world record endeavor. He selected the perfect pumpkin for the job, weighing in at 846 pounds and having a circumference of 146 inches. Hansen carefully worked to carve out a space big enough for him to fit inside, dubbing his new craft the S.S. Berta.

Two days prior to the big day, Hansen had to strap down this massive pumpkin down to a mattress that was hauled on a trailer. When the big day, Aug. 27, 2022, came around, Hansen says he brought denim shorts, a camouflage hat and a life jacket. He gathered friends and family at 7:30am as Bellevue city officials watched this journey from the Bellevue public boat docks. As Hansen was in his DIY boat, he told news outlets that on the trip down the river to Nebraska City, many passing boats threatened to tip his pumpkin over more than once. Despite these challenges, he persisted. It took Hansen 11 hours and 38 miles to arrive at the marina in Nebraska City. Hansen’s wife Allison, when asked about what it feels like to have a recordbreaking husband answered, “I never know what’s going to be next.”

I want everyone to look at this story of Duane Hansen and take inspiration from it. At the age of 60 he had a huge goal that