An Oregon man is adding his name to the record books aboard his own pumpkin boat

October means cooler weather, crisp leaves and harvested spiced milk. And for some, it’s a time to showcase spectacular giant pumpkins – and even break a Guinness World Record.

Gary Kristensen of Happy Valley paddled nearly 46 miles along the Columbia River in a giant pumpkin earlier this month.

“I was hoping to paddle at least a little over 39 miles,” he said. “We had some problems along the way but we were still able to do it.”

On Thursday he learned that the work had been worth it.

“The longest pumpkin boat trip (paddling) is 73.50 km (45.67 miles) and was completed by Gary Kristensen,” according to Guinness World Records.

Sometimes he fought against the elements.

“About four or five miles into our journey, there were winds of 30 to 35 miles per hour,” he said. “We started at Bonneville Dam and the waves were pretty intense coming over the pumpkin. I refilled the water.”

Kristensen also grew “Punky Loafster,” the vessel with which he broke the record.

His colleague and giant pumpkin breeder Jim Sherwood can also boast his own pumpkin award. The Mulino resident has grown his fair share of giants over the years. The self-proclaimed extreme gardener won the National Pumpkin Weigh Off in California this year. His entry, nicknamed “Hank the Tank,” tipped the scales at nearly 2,500 pounds.

Even though he lost other pumpkins in the process, one champion remained.

“Once they have a hole, they are illegal for competition,” he said. “I ended up with one of five plants. And luckily it was my personal best and I was able to win this competition.”

But even after a mighty pumpkin is born, it must survive transportation. Sherwood says a pumpkin traveling unprotected makes him cringe. A pothole can ruin a gardener’s hard work.

“When I first started, I found a futon on the side of the road and picked it up like all good pumpkin growers do,” he said. “And finally I put a pumpkin on it and carried it on the futon on a pallet all the way to California.”

Sherwood is also one of the founders of the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, in which boaters attempt to cross a man-made lake using a giant pumpkin as a vessel.

Kristensen competed in the Tualatin Regatta after returning relatively unscathed from his Columbia River odyssey. Kristensen has been taking part in the event since 2013 and took second place this year.

“People from all over the world come here to the Portland, Tualatin area to see this spectacle,” he said. “It’s an absolute blast.”

“Think Out Loud” host Dave Miller spoke with Gary Kristensen and Jim Sherwood about growing and competing with giant pumpkins ahead of Kristensen’s confirmed Guinness World Record. Listen to the full conversation: