(Ink Magazine) What happens when you put together one of the modern wonders of the world, a wakesurfing boat and a surfer with lots of leg power? Two Guinness® Book of World Records, a four hour wave and some very confused sailors.
On March 19, 2011, this will all be tested in the Red Bull Canal Cross when Panamanian surfer Gary Saavedra will go down in history as the first person to cross the Panama Canal on a surfboard. He will ride a wave created by a wakesurfing boat for four hours and break two world records: The longest wave ever surfed and longest time on a non-static wave.
After 13 titles as Panama’s National Surf Champion, Gary Saavedra will face the biggest challenge in his career, and is getting ready for it with extreme focus and determination: “I am ready for the Red Bull Canal Cross. I have been training for months and I am prepared for the physical and mental challenges that await me,” mentioned the surfer, who has been training vigorously both in and out of the water. “I am doing a lot of cardio, swimming and strengthening my legs,” shared the future world record holder.
Gary’s journey in one of the modern wonders of the world will start after the last lock in the Pacific Ocean side of the Panama Canal (Pedro Miguel locks) through the Gatun Lake, and back again to where he started, surfing a wave created by a MasterCraft X25 2010 boat. Since the traffic in the Panama Canal will go on as usual this day, the biggest challenge for the surfer will be to maintain his balance while tackling the waves created by the massive neighboring vessels.
Among the world records that Gary will introduce to the Guinness® Book of World Records, the most challenging one for him is the longest time on a non-static wave. “The current record is 45 minutes and my goal is four hours,” mentioned Saavedra. Representatives of the Guinness® Book of World Records will fly to Panama to certify the feats.
The Panama Canal is a 77 km ship canal that permits vessels to transit from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean and vice versa. Build in the narrowest saddles of the isthmus that connects North and South America in the beginning of the 20th century; it is considered one of the modern wonders of the world. Some 13 to 14 thousand vessels from all over the world use the Canal every year. In fact, commercial transportation activities through the Canal represent approximately 5% of the world trade. Currently, the Canal is undergoing a massive expansion project that will open up the passage to bigger vessels.
The Red Bull Canal Cross has a very special meaning for the Panamanian surfer, “I have always wanted to do a project that will put Panama surfing in the international spotlight, and having the opportunity to cross the Panama Canal on my surfboard is a dream come true.”