Canadian Strongman “The Moose” pulls a 261,953 lb boat with passengers for 65 feet!
Canadian Strongman Wesley “Moose” Derwinsky is making waves, after the powerful athlete was able to pull in a 261,953 lb (118.82 tonnes) ship to shore at an event organized by Strongman Champions League (SCL), in Sandusky, Ohio, USA last month.
The muscular man faced off against 14 other professional SCL athletes for the chance to drag the boat into the dock, while up to 130 passengers waited aboard the ship’s deck and waved at the brawny competitors as they yanked their ferry back to land.
Moose was the winner of this incredible challenge, and the Strongman said he was “ecstatic” when he learned he conquered the event and won the Guinness World Records title for the heaviest boat pulled 20 m (upper body).
“This was my fourth contest in eight weeks, so I didn’t really have any specific time to prepare for this,” said Wes. “[I] just pulled the rope as hard as I could.”
Nevertheless, his performance was a success – and inspired the Strongman community to rally around unique record titles.
“Hosting the first ever Strongman Champions League event in the United States in our 18 years of history was an absolute success,” said Ilya Khazov, organizer of the event. “Shores and Islands and the community of Sandusky embraced us and turned a great competition into a landmark moment.
“Having Guinness World Records officiating this record raised the stakes for everyone involved, and adds this to an increasing list of exciting records that Sandusky holds. We look forward to bringing many more unforgettable record attempts to the United States with Guinness World Records in the years ahead.”
Wes has been competing in Strongman competitions for 12 years now, since he was 17 years old, but he always wanted to challenge himself in a Strongman Champions League show. He’s competed in the World’s Strongest Man events, winning regional titles, but he knew he was up for the task at the Ohio attempt.
“I always wanted to compete in a Strongman Champions League show, as they put on amazing contests usually with crazy feats of strength that are a spectacle for the athletes and the crowd,” he said. “This show having the boat pull, and then being a Guinness World Records affiliate, was a huge driving force behind doing it.”
He was also confident he could secure a top spot, saying: “Canadian strongmen have a history of having some of the strongest hands/grip in the world, and I did not want to disappoint those who came before me and my country.
“But with my experience in the sport and knowing I am usually fairly good at events like this, I was pretty confident I could at least make a push for the record,” he continued. “And I ended up coming out on top!”
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On the day of the event, thousands of spectators flocked to the docks of Sandusky Bay in Ohio, and pressed against the barrier to get a clear view of the competitors.
“The overall environment of downtown Sandusky was excitement!” said Jon Limber, Sports Tourism Coordinator of Shores and Islands Ohio. “Crowds gathered early and had the opportunity to talk to staff and athletes – and watch the arena take shape on the waterfront.
“From the moment the athlete introductions began, the crowd was electrified – they were shouting at the top of their lungs, high fiving each other and the athletes, cheering for their favourites, and having an experience like no other. It was something I will truly never forget.”
Wes was the last to make the attempt, and the Moose walked out to the screams of excited viewers, who cheered as he knelt to the ground and picked up the rope connected to the boat – which was heavy and braided and thicker than a tennis ball.
After securing his feet against a metal plate, Wes crouched and assumed a rowing position, bending his knees and thrusting his shoulders back to yank the rope as hard as he could towards the shore.
Using every bit of his 320 lbs (145 kg) weight and impressive 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) height, the boat began to inch towards the determined competitor, as the crowd’s cheers increased in fervor and pitch.
As soon as a marked section of the rope passed over the ledge of the bay, the event organizers stopped the clock, and Wes flopped on to his back with his chest heaving with exertion.
“[I was] exhausted and didn’t have function in my hands after, as they were completely destroyed and fatigued from pulling 261,953 lbs,” said Wes.
“But once I heard I won the event I was ecstatic.”
Wes had yanked the boat back to shore in 1 minute and 21 seconds, a winning number at the competition and securing the Guinness World Records title.
As he celebrated his achievement, he was sure to shout-out his wife and fellow strongmen, who inspired him to take the challenge.
“I’d like to thank my wife Paige for always supporting me and my crazy dreams,” he said. “I’d [also] like to thank all the guys I came up with in the sport and JF Caron for his Pro Strongman Circuit, because they are the reason I am the strongman athlete I am today and was able to achieve this Guinness World Records title.”
And you never know – perhaps he’ll come back next year, ready to take on the title again!
“It was an absolute honour helping the Shores and Islands Ohio region help bring home another Guinness World Records title,” said Jon. “The opportunity to highlight our community in a way that shows our strength, our tenacity, and our willingness to celebrate the most amazing achievements.
“In all honesty, I believe all the athletes deserve recognition for this record. I spoke with the athletes after it was all said and done, many of them mentioned that the SCL-USA debut had some of the toughest events they’ve ever had the privilege to be a part of…
“I am proud to have worked alongside Ilya and his team to not only mark history for their league, but to have the SCL athletes say how much they loved our community, and that they’re ready to come back in 2026.”
So congratulations on your incredible achievement, Wes, and thank you to the rest of the SCL and Ohio teams – you are Officially Amazing!