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Paddling Innovation: Man crosses 26 miles in a mushroom kayak
In early August, artist and mycologist Sam Shoemaker made history by paddling 26.4 miles from Catalina Island to San Pedro, California, in a kayak made entirely from mushrooms. The journey, which took 12 hours, represents one of the longest open-water trips completed in a mycelium-based vessel.
Shoemaker’s kayak was grown from wild Ganoderma polychromum mycelium on a hemp substrate, then carefully dried over several months to form a durable, hydrophobic structure. While slower and heavier than conventional kayaks, the boat demonstrates the potential of fungi-based materials, which are lightweight, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly alternatives to plastics.
During the voyage, Shoemaker encountered wildlife, including a fin whale that swam alongside him for three miles. His expedition highlights both the promise and limitations of fungal innovation in recreational and marine applications.
Shoemaker and his community of mycologists, artists, and innovators hope such experiments will inspire broader adoption of mycelium-based materials in industries ranging from watercraft to fashion, following examples like mushroom leather used in high-end clothing. However, Shoemaker notes that producing these vessels remains time-intensive and resource-heavy, indicating that widespread industrial use is still in the early stages.