A man in Nebraska, USA was rowing 61km on the Missouri River. The remarkable point in this journey lies in the very unique SS Berta boat.
The trip was a great success, but the Guinness Book of World Records still needs time to verify and verify before it is officially announced – Photo: Autoevolution
The SS Berta is not a real boat, although it floats on water and can carry people. It was a giant, homemade pumpkin weighing 384kg that was floated down the Missouri River, hoping to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.
The “boat owner” succeeded in traveling 61km on the river, thanks to his will, excellent balancing skills and efforts.
It can be said that Duane Hansen, who lives in Syracuse, Nebraska, USA, is the one who “built” SS Berta. He has been interested in growing giant pumpkins for more than 10 years. But a few years ago, he wanted to raise the bar.
According to the Omaha World-Herald, he met the pumpkin rowing record holder at a fair in Portland, Oregon. That’s when he decided to turn home-grown pumpkins into a boat and break the world record.
This year, Hansen finally planted a pumpkin large enough to fulfill his wish. The old pumpkin rowing record is confirmed to be 41km and Hansen wants to exceed this by about 16-24km.
After many years of trying to plant and fertilize, Mr. Hansen finally “made” a pumpkin boat – Photo: Autoevolution
Easier said than done, as the pumpkin boat certainly didn’t have enough room or capacity to carry anything but the oars and Hansen himself, who would only be able to wear a tank top, shorts, and life jacket.
The day after his 60th birthday, he boarded the “boat” and set off on the trip. Not only balancing, Hansen also has to face obstacles such as rapids, mud in the water or waves that other vehicles passing by create.
“I kept telling myself to row really hard, not to let go. I try to go another 7-8km. Rain. Berta is only about 20cm above the water level. I have never been so focused in all my life. It was so difficult,” Hansen recalls.
After 11 tiring hours, Duane Hansen completed the 61km journey with Berta. Speaking to Reuters, Hansen said after finishing the journey: “I went 61km in the river without standing up in that pumpkin. My knee ached. I won’t try again. If someone breaks my record, I take my hat off, because it’s hard work.”
To set a record is not easy at all, because controlling the pumpkin boat will be much more difficult than other normal vehicles – Photo: Autoevolution
For those in the community who have supported by monitoring, providing food and drink, and being ready to respond when needed, Hansen’s feat is not merely a journey for himself, but proof for him. found that people can achieve any goal, as long as enough effort and concentration.
