Isa Sebastião has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest non-stop river journey on a stand up paddleboard (SUP), in Portugal.
The Portuguese athlete initially planned to paddle 130 kilometers (80.7 miles) in the Sado River, but she eventually ended up make 170 kilometers (105.6 miles) in 24 hours."When I was two hours away from my goal, I got trapped in a tornado. A cloud of dust rose with the wind, and the swell rose dramatically. It was a time of distress that forced me to divert to the shore," explained Sebastiao.
At some point, the former professional basketball player, 41, thought she would have to suspend the record-breaking attempt because of the strong wind gusts. Isa Sebastião started and concluded her challenge in Alcácer do Sal.
"I felt good during the whole journey and eventually overcame my initial goals of paddling for 130 kilometers. Keeping the people who supported me and were waiting for me in Alcácer do Sal in my thoughts helped me stay focused."
The former flat water Guinness World Record belonged to Robyn Benincasa, who paddled 146 kilometers (90.7 miles), at the Huntington Harbour, in 2013. The judges will have to decide whether Sebastião's mark fits the flat water or flowing water category.
Isa Sebastião is an all-around waterwoman. She is a national SUP champion, avid kitesurfer, and she also enjoys catching waves.
