A Missouri man had a “gourd-eous” time as he broke a Guinness World Record after completing a 38-mile journey down a river in a pumpkin boat.
Steve Kueny from Lebanon, Missouri, set out on an 11-hour journey on the Mississippi River in his 1,208-pound pumpkin boat, called “Huckle Berry” on Monday just after 7 a.m., according to KCTV5.
“It takes a lot of planning and also a lot of flying by the seat of your pants,” Kueny told the outlet. “I’m just a guy with a pumpkin and a whimsical sense of adventure out to have fun.”
Steve Kueny has broken the record for longest journey by pumpkin boat 🤯 🎃 pic.twitter.com/dzvTorlzLc
— The Messenger (@TheMessenger) October 13, 2023
Kueny, who began the journey around 7:30 a.m. was joined on the river by the Paddle KC Padding Club and about half a dozen other boats that were trying to make sure that they were “doing something very silly very safely,” he told USA Today.
The journey began in Kansas City, Kansas, and ended in Napolean, Missouri, around 6:18 p.m., Keuny told the outlet.
“Paddle KC planned and managed safety on the water for this unique river run,” the group wrote in a Facebook post. “We had a great time paddling alongside to provide support and assistance if needed. We also helped document the attempt by taking photos and videos at mile makers on the river. Once submitted documentation is officially verified by Guiness, they will certify the new record.”
Kueny explained to the outlet he has been working out on the river since he was a teenager, and he got into pumpkin growing in 2020, instead of gardening or baking bread.
The previous record was set last year by Nebraska resident Duane Hansen. Hansen traveled 38 miles down the Missouri River in an 846-pound pumpkin boat, according to Smithsonian Magazine.