Chilean Couple Paddleboards at 20,898 Feet, Sets Record

When Carlos Cardemil Poffal and Laura Andrea Torres Pereira first saw a crater lake atop Licancabur Volcano seven years ago, they asked each other a simple question: "What if we could paddle here one day?" That moment sparked a dream that just made them world record holders.

The Chilean couple recently paddleboarded at 6,370 meters (20,898 feet) above sea level near Copiapó, Chile. That's higher than anyone has ever taken a paddleboard, and they did it together.

Carlos, a 51-year-old dentist, and Laura, a 48-year-old legal professional, have been inseparable since they met. "We are partners in life and partners in adventure," Carlos says.

Getting to the remote mountain lagoon took months of preparation. The couple spent weeks building their endurance and acclimatizing to extreme altitude.

They carried every piece of equipment themselves. No porters, no commercial sponsors, just two people and their paddleboards climbing toward the sky.

When they finally stepped onto their boards, the moment felt surreal. "We felt incredibly strong, almost invincible," Carlos recalls.

The scenery around them was breathtaking. Snow-covered peaks stretched endlessly under blue skies, and complete silence surrounded the lagoon.

"For a few minutes, time seemed to stop," Carlos says. "It felt as though nature had allowed us to become part of something truly extraordinary."

The physical challenge was intense. They faced extreme cold, exhaustion, and moments of fear during the expedition.

But something kept them going. "Dreams do not come true by waiting for the perfect moment," Carlos explains. "They come true when you dare to take the first step."

Why This Inspires

Carlos and Laura want their story to prove something important: the biggest barriers we face aren't external. "We believe that the greatest limits are rarely found in the mountains," Carlos says. "Most of the time, they exist only in our minds."

They weren't the strongest athletes or the wealthiest adventurers. They were simply two people who refused to give up on a shared dream.

The couple already has ideas for future records, so this probably won't be their last appearance in the record books. They completed their journey with help from Club de Montaña Esmeralda and support from friends who believed in them.

Their message is simple: if they can paddleboard on top of the world, you can chase your impossible dream too.