Polish windsurfer Maciej Rutkowski has broken the Guinness World Record! He sailed across the Baltic Sea in 8.5 hours!
Słupsk has its own hero. Maciej Rutkowski, a native of the city, accomplished an incredible feat. The multiple national champion sailed across the Baltic Sea on a windsurfing board, at a dizzying pace.
Maciek Rutkowski is known for his unconventional ideas. The 33-year-old isn't afraid of extreme challenges, as he demonstrated in Hawaii, where he became the first Pole to tame the legendary waves at Jaws. The award-winning windsurfer once again decided to do something crazy, proving that for him, nothing is impossible on the water.
Our compatriot on September 18, 2025 - despite difficult weather conditions, achieved his goal of covering a murderous distance of almost 230 kilometers on a skateboard.
Maciej Rutkowski sailed across the Baltic Sea / private archive of the athleteRutkowski arrived at the starting line on Thursday morning in Sandhamn, located in the Land of the Three Crowns. The experienced athlete battled unstable winds and gigantic waves on the route from Sweden to Władysławowo . Our champion achieved incredible speeds, reaching over 50 km/h. His battle in the Baltic Sea lasted approximately 8.5 hours, and the entire expedition was broadcast live on his YouTube channel.
He fought the waves of the Baltic Sea for a noble causeMaciej's mission was a double success, as it also had a charitable purpose. With this incredible voyage, Rutkowski helped the daughter of Bartłomiej Marszałek, known for competing in the Formula 1 world water sports championship.
The child has Rett syndrome, a severe and extremely rare genetic disorder, and Malwinka's treatment in the United States is very expensive. Those watching the world champion's performance could donate any amount they wanted to the girl's therapy.
The Słupsk native had been preparing for this attempt for several years, and was greeted by crowds at the finish line in Władysławowo. It's worth noting that Rutkowski was safe during this start, as a rescue team was monitoring his health on the boat, and his heart rate was constantly monitored.
This isn't the only extreme feat by a Polish athlete recently. It's worth noting that ultra-triathlete Jurand Czabański completed a 50-time IronMan in Brazil, though that expedition, too, was incredibly difficult to pull off.
Maciej Rutkowski swam across the Baltic Sea / private archive of the athlete
