A man from Hawaii, who lost both an arm and a leg during a car accident, has set the Guinness World Record for completing the first solo voyage around the world. Read to know the inspiring story.
Around the world: First solo voyage by double amputee
Dustin Reynolds, better known as the “Single-Handed Sailor,” made history after finishing a seven-year-long solo voyage across the globe.
Reynolds became a double amputee following an accident where he lost an arm and a leg. Additionally, he also suffered from a broken scapula and, a punctured spleen and lung. (aristocratps.com)
Post his accident, Reynolds discovered a new purpose in life after finding out that there are no double amputees on the list of sailing records. With renewed purpose, he began the epic journey on June 18, 2014. Reynolds set off on a seven-year journey around the world from Kailua Kona, Hawaii, and returned to his home state on December 4, 2021.
Originally, he was planning on finishing the journey in five years. However, the solo voyage lasted for over seven years, owing to COVID-19 restrictions in addition to engine and transmission problems.
During the journey, he visited 36 overseas territories and countries. As per the Guinness World Records, Reynolds spent a long part of the journey on land. His time on the sea was roughly 11 months.
How did Reynolds manage the feat?
“My health insurance company put a 440 thousand dollar lean on me and I became financially ruined,” stated Reynolds. “About four years after the accident, I went bankrupt and paid off my IRS debt. I had a carpet cleaning business and a fishing boat that I was able to exclude from the bankruptcy, which at the time was four years out of maintenance,” he added.
According to his Guinness World Record interview, the 45-year-old sold his business and old fishing boat. this helped him buy a sailboat. He dedicated a year before setting sail to fixing the sailboat and learning to sail through books and youtube videos. Additionally, he used crowdfunding to help overcome his biggest obstacle. The money from crowdfunding helped him in maintaining his ship and making necessary repairs.
