Charlie Verco, the Australian paddleboarder, has made headlines by winning his fourth world championship in Hawaii, achieving a remarkable time of 4 hours, 18 minutes, and 3 seconds in the 52km Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard race on Sunday. This victory not only marks a personal triumph but also sets a new record, surpassing the previous best held by fellow Australian Matt Bevilacqua since 2019 by three minutes.

Verco's incredible performance comes just weeks after he heroically rescued Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old teacher, from a shark attack at Coogee beach. As he trained for the championship, he heard her cries for help and quickly paddled to her aid, managing to get her to safety just as she lost consciousness. Stewart endured five surgeries following the attack, including an arm amputation, but survived the harrowing ordeal.

Reflecting on his record-breaking race, Verco expressed his joy:

I’m so stoked. It’s always a challenge getting across the channel and each year it dishes up something different.

In the 27th running of the Molokai race, Verco dominated the “unlimited” paddleboard class, finishing nearly 50 minutes ahead of the second place competitor. He shared insights from his race, noting how he focused on riding the ocean bumps and enjoying the experience rather than solely chasing time.

Despite a disappointing finish last year, Verco approached this year’s event with a more relaxed mindset, aiming to enjoy the journey rather than stress over records. His resilience and spirit shine through both in competition and in his recent act of bravery.