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Man completes 2,500 mile paddleboard journey from San Francisco to Hawaii

Posted at 9:17 AM, Aug 27, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-27 15:26:33-04

A Spanish man spent his summer vacation paddling his way from the west coast of the U.S. across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii.

It took Antonio de la Rosa 76 days to paddle some 2,500 miles while standing on a submarine-shaped craft. He had planned to make the trip in 70 days, but suspects he drifted too far north at one point during his journey.

He celebrated his 50th birthday at sea and arrived Saturday in Honolulu.

de la Rosa said Monday that he's feeling a bit tired.

He paddled eight-to-10 hours daily and slept every night. But he was always tired because he woke up hourly to check on his gear.

In addition to a sleeping cabin, de la Rosa's boat included computers and GPS systems that ran on solar energy created by panels on the roof. However, the boat was only moved by wind, ocean currents and de la Rosa himself.

He believes no one has ever done what he accomplished.

In Spain, he runs an adventure tourism business and says he enjoys adventurous vacations.