Ready for a thrill? Buckle up and listen as Cyril Derreumaux, a two-time Guinness World Record holder, shares his journey as an explorer and adventurer. Fluent in six languages, Cyril’s curiosity for the world has led him from backpacking globally to breaking records on the open ocean. He set records for the fastest Mid-Pacific rowing crossing and for being the first person to kayak the distance solo and unsupported. Cyril discusses the challenges of these expeditions and how they’ve shaped his view on resilience and pushing boundaries.
Bio: French born, now American citizen, Cyril Derreumaux considers himself a citizen of the world. Fluent speaker of 6 languages (and counting!) Cyril is attracted to learning and discovering new cultures and places all the time.
This natural curiosity of people and places led Cyril to backpack around the world at 25 for one year. With $7,000 and a can-do attitude Cyril embarked on this life changing experience that permanently changed his outlook on life and how he wanted to live it.
A move to California following his profession in the wine business led Cyril to begin exploring the world of outrigger canoeing and kayaking and reignited a childhood passion for windsurfing and all things water related. He soon began pushing his limits further and further in ultra endurance water events.
A serendipitous find of the Great Pacific Race which advertised “you don’t need to be a rower to row an ocean” led Cyril to embark on his biggest challenge at the time, rowing in a team of 4 men from California to Hawaii which resulted in in a Guinness Record for the fastest ocean rowing crossing of a team in 39 days and again changing Cyril’s perspective on what was possible.
Always a dreamer, Cyril soon found himself thinking about his next expedition. Inspired by the stories of maverick ocean explorers, Cyril began to plan his biggest expedition to date, crossing the mid pacific on a kayak with solely human power from California to Hawaii.
Despite delays and a failed attempt, Cyril accomplished this goal in September 2022 reaching Hawaii to become the first 100% human powered kayaker to accomplish such a feat.
As a member of the famed Explorers Club Cyril continues to dream big, thinking of his next big adventure and encouraging others to do the same. Advocating to “live life to the fullest,” Cyril hopes his adventures inspire others to find their own dream and go after it.
Cyril is currently working on a book and a documentary chronicling his kayak crossing.
Cyril’s Something Extra: "Self awareness is key. You cannot adapt, you cannot change, you cannot do anything if you don't see your own behavior."
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