NEBRASKA CITY - A Missouri pumpkin grower has reportedly broken Duane Hansen’s world record for the longest paddle in a pumpkin.

Hansen paddled a pumpkin named Berta down the Missouri River for 37.5 miles from Bellevue to Nebraska City. He grew the 861-pound Berta on his farm near Syracuse, determined its float level with a fork lift and carved out the ‘luxurious’ riding cabin. The paddle took 11 ½ hours.

Steve Kueney is a competitive pumpkin grower from Lebanon, Mo., and  is part of a group called Paddle KC. He is said to have floated a 1,299-pound pumpkin he grew. They are awaiting paperwork for a 39.17-mile record.

Kueney credits his inspiration for Hansen, who finished his voyage in August of 2022.

Hansen is also trying to set the new Nebraska record for the largest pumpkin held by Brent Cernik at 1,492.5 pounds. He also wants to grow a pumpkin large enough that he and his daughter can ride down the river together and says he is breaking virgin soil on an area that has never grown pumpkins before.

Hansen: "I've got big plans."

Hansen is scouring news reports today to learn the logistics of the new world's record claim. He said it appears Kueney’s river was traveling at 2.5 miles per hour, about a half a mile per hour slower than Hansen’s river. Still, it took Kueney a half hour less time.

Hansen said he is planning to paddle again.

Hansen: “It just makes me want to do it all the more – start at sunrise and go right before dark. It’s just the speed of the river and if you have a tailwind. If I have a 5 mph river, it would really go.”