This exciting documentary takes you into the intense effort of a 4-man team and their support crew to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest human-powered trip down the Mississippi River. They must travel over 2,300 miles by canoe in under 17 days 19 hours and 46 minutes. A record like this can’t be broken with skill alone, they will need teamwork, strategy, and especially luck.
Watch the Trailer
Spoiler Alert: They broke the record by nearly 24 hours!
Completing their trip down the Mississippi River in 16 days 20 hours and 16 minutes
Scott Miller
Scott is the leader of team "Mississippi Speed Record." His first attempt to break the record was in 2020. They made it all the way to New Orleans when a huge storm came in and tragically sank their canoe.
Scott's personality is the magnet that brought the entire team together, paddlers, support crew and camera crew.
Paul Cox
Paul has 20+ years in ultra-distance racing. He's completed and holds records in some of the worlds toughest and longest paddling races.
Paul is the expert at calculating split times in his head, constantly updating his team with projections about where they will be in relation to the current record.
Wally Werderich
Wally has been canoeing since he was in the boy scouts at 7 years old. The racing bug bit him early on and he has competed in many of the largest canoe races throughout the country.
While not confirmed, it is rumored that Wally is a member of the legendary Los Humungos Paddleos masked luchador canoe racing team. If asked, Wally will tell you that he makes his living carrying Los Humungos Paddleos’ canoe paddles and washing their capes.
Judson Steinbach
Judd developed his love of paddling when he was a child, fishing with his family from row boats. Since then he has raced professionally domestically and abroad. When not training and racing canoes, you can find Judd fly fishing, running projects for his landscaping company, or schlepping his daughters to their activities.
Judd always has a smile on his face, and he kept the team laughing with his bottomless reserve of movie quotes.
The Support Crew
Breaking the speed record on the Mississippi would simply be impossible without a dedicated and organized support crew. These crews often get overlooked in endeavors like this but this film documents how important this team was. They made the record happen just as much as the paddlers.
Getting this many people to volunteer for anything is hard enough, let alone finding a crew that can work together in high-pressure situations.
Themes of the film
- Teamwork - Teamwork is often secondary to winning in highly competitive events. Team Mississippi Speed Record shows us that not only is teamwork the most important thing, but it was essential for their success.
- True grit - keeping a canoe moving 24 hours a day for nearly 17 days means blisters, being so tired it causes hallucinations, and yes, pooping in the boat. On an hourly basis, during all hours of day and night, the team was confronted with adversity and unexpected situations. Not only did they have to overcome them, they had to do it as quickly as possible.
- Inspiration - This is a truly inspirational story, especially when you consider that their first attempt failed mere hours from finishing. They didn’t give up, they came back two years later to accomplish their mission. The message that viewers will be left with, is that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.
- Mississippi River - This film will juxtapose the pristine natural beauty with the extreme amount of industry on the river. Most people don’t think of the Mississippi River as a place of recreation but this film will show a side of the river almost no one has seen.
Who will watch it?
Our audience will go beyond the paddling community because our themes are universal. The characters in this film exhibit some of the finest human qualities. The wholesomeness of these characters will make it a fun movie to watch for the whole family.
Team Mississippi Speed Record has a large facebook following of over 11,000 people. Many of them reported hitting refresh on their computer many times a day during the attempt to see how the team was doing. They have an emotional bond with the paddlers and the support crew who were constantly posting live videos of the attempt.
As the outdoor industry expands, more and more people are looking for their own adventures. Films like this one fuel and inspire people to take on their own monumental goals in life.
Long Description
Embark on an epic journey with four adventurous spirits as they undertake the ultimate test of endurance and determination. Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure follows their incredible quest to paddle the entire 2,340 miles of the Mississippi River in a single 23-foot canoe, aiming to set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest time down the river.
From the headwaters in Northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the team faces relentless challenges: rain, wind, and treacherous conditions. For 16 days, 20 hours, and 16 minutes, they paddle almost nonstop, eating, sleeping, and even going to the bathroom in the canoe. Supported by a dedicated crew of over 20 people and two trailing support boats, they receive a constant stream of supplies and encouragement, fueling their drive to break the record.
As the river transforms from a winding creek into a mighty waterway, the men must navigate through industrial zones dominated by massive barges. Constant communication and quick thinking are essential, especially during the perilous night hours. Their journey captures the imagination of over a million followers on social media, with cheering fans lining the riverbanks, sharing in every triumph and setback.
Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure is a gripping tale of human spirit, teamwork, and the pursuit of greatness. Witness breathtaking landscapes, heart-pounding moments, and the infectious positivity that surrounds the team. This exhilarating and inspiring documentary shows it’s not about conquering the river—it's about moving in harmony with its flow. Will the Mississippi River allow them to break the record?
Info and Links
Production Company - Wilderness Mindset run by Alex Maier and Amy Robin
Email: info@wildernessmindset.com Phone: 262-719-7518
A previous award-winning paddling film that we co-directed, co-produced, and edited. GREYBEARD: The Man, The Myth, The Mississippi.
Wilderness Mindset on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram
Mississippi Speed Record's Website and their Facebook Page with over 11,000 followers.