87-Year-Old Paddles to Record Along Mississippi River

LULING, LA – Dale Sanders, nicknamed “Grey Beard,” set a Guinness World Record as the oldest person to paddle the entire length of the Mississippi River. Sanders, 87, completed the 87-day expedition, coinciding with his age.

Embarking from Lake Itasca, Minn., on his 87th birthday, Sanders journeyed to Luling, La., navigating in a 15-foot, 6-inch canoe. This feat marks his second successful Mississippi traverse, following his initial journey at 80 in summer 2015.

Sanders expressed his enthusiasm for reclaiming his personal record and achieving a new Guinness World Record. His accomplishment highlights both his enduring spirit and the allure of the Mississippi River as a challenging course for long-distance paddling.