Gary Kristensen, a real estate appraiser from Happy Valley, Oregon, achieved a unique world record by paddling a 1,224-pound pumpkin boat down the Columbia River. Starting in North Bonneville, Washington, he journeyed 73.5 km (45.67 miles) to Vancouver, Washington, over 26 hours from October 12 to 13, setting the record for the longest trip in a pumpkin boat, as confirmed by Guinness World Records.
The 46-year-old carved the massive pumpkin, aptly named “Punky Loafster,” into a functional vessel after growing it over the summer. “This record attempt was a challenge I had long considered,” Gary shared, explaining that he waited for the perfect pumpkin for this adventure. Gary has grown giant pumpkins since 2011 and even won the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta four years in a row, having first crafted a boat-sized pumpkin in 2013.
Gary’s pumpkin, pollinated on July 14 and harvested on October 4, measured 429.26 cm (169 in) in circumference and weighed 555.2 kg (1,224 lb), comparable to an adult camel or a grand piano. On October 11, he transformed it into a boat, outfitting it with a camera for the journey.
During his voyage, he encountered 56 km/h (35 mph) winds and waves, forcing him to seek a landing spot. He said, “A safe beach directly across the Columbia from Multnomah Falls was identified for landing the pumpkin.” After pausing to carve out more pumpkin meat to lighten the load with an empty soup can, he continued paddling, hoping to find a suitable camping spot along the river.