[StarfishKey]

Seychelle Hattingh, of Key Largo, broke both the women's record (90.4 miles) and the men's record (106 miles) for stand-up paddleboarding, and set a new world record by paddling 115 miles in 24 hours! She also raised money for the Special Olympics, which apparently she is still collecting for those who want to donate.



Check out her accomplishment here: Keys' Seychelle Hattingh breaks standup paddleboard distance record | Living & Entertainment | KeysNet


One of the best things about the Keys is that so many people here really value both exercise and the outdoors. It's a great place to participate in water sports especially, as well as to find others to share in those experiences. Plus, in just the last 2 years the Keys have had numerous women break local and world records, winning multiple events over the male contestants as well - in running, swimming, weightlifting, paddleboarding, boating, and fishing events. So it is also a place of growing gender equality in sports activities, with increased respect and recognition for what women do (given its relatively older average population who in the past have been prone to discrimination against women in these fields).



I personally prefer sea kayaking to sea paddleboarding, but hopefully reading this encourages someone reading to give it a try! Maybe you can set the next world record! And maybe you will try practicing right here in the Keys, where for most of the year the sea is reasonably flat and calm, and clear straight to the bottom so you can see all the fish you're paddling over.