Man Who Paddleboarded Across Pacific Ocean Has A Wild Confession

The Proclaimers said they would walk five hundred miles, and Vanessa Carlton promised to cover one thousand, but daredevil Antonio de la Rosa has them both beat by a long shot. He set out to cover an almost unimaginable distance, though he wouldn't exactly be doing it on his own two feet. Along the way, he wrestled with doubt, all kinds of adversity, and one horrific sight that broke his heart. The adventurer swore he would try and make it right — if he ever finished his journey alive.

Antonio's hunger

To call Antonio de la Rosa an athlete would be an understatement. The Spaniard was hungry like the wolf, hunting down whatever mad goal he set for himself. And no other predator on Earth could pursue like Antonio.

Endurance pro

He was into extreme sports, but rather than launch himself off a ramp or parachute out of a plane, Antonio preferred the long burn of endurance events. His activity of choice was paddleboarding, which had already seen him cross the Atlantic Ocean in 2014.

His bold plan

Five years later, Antonio felt ready for a bigger and bolder adventure. The 49-year-old plotted a course to paddle nearly 3,000 miles between California and Hawaii. Before he could take on the relentless Pacific conditions, however, he needed the right gear.

Fully equipped

The paddler was used to close quarters on such voyages, but this particular challenge would require more than an ordinary board. Without any assistance or pit stops along the way, the vessel would have to account for Antonio's every need.