March madness: In search of world surfing records

By Emilie Gendron
Panamanians multiple surfing title holder, Gary Saavedra is out to establish a “world’s first” and break two world records.

The timing is perfect. Some might call him as mad as a March hare when on March 19 he sets out to become the first person to travel the 77 km length of the Panama Canal on a surfboard.

The wave will be created by a wake surfing boat, a MasterCraft X25. Traveling for four hours the surfer could be in line for two world records: the longest wave ever surfed and longest time on a non-static wave.
Gary holds 13 Panama National surf titles but considers this the challenge of his career.

“It will be tough” he says, but the surfer from Chitre is ready: “I am doing a lot of cardio, swimming and strengthening my legs”. {jathumbnail off}
If his trip is successful his Red Bull sponsors will move to create a competitive event, taking a page out of the annual cayuga race along the canal.
The Red Bull Canal Cross is a dream realized for the 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”.