Say Hueque, a travel company committed to delivering impactful and authentic experiences across Argentina and Chile, has achieved remarkable recognition by securing four nominations at the esteemed 2025 World Travel Awards. This acknowledgment underscores the company's leading position in providing responsible travel and adventure excursions throughout Argentina and the wider South American region. Among the distinguished categories, Say Hueque has been nominated for 'Argentina's Leading Tour Operator', 'Argentina's Leading Destination Management Company (DMC)', 'South America's Leading Adventure Tour Operator', and 'South America's Responsible Tourism Award', reflecting their comprehensive excellence in the industry.
With a legacy spanning over a quarter-century, Say Hueque has meticulously cultivated a reputation for delivering genuine, locally-rooted, and purpose-driven travel experiences. Their itineraries are meticulously designed, demonstrating a profound understanding of the natural landscapes and cultural nuances, while also striving to generate positive impacts for both the communities they visit and the environment. As a certified B Corporation and an active participant in the Adventure Travel Trade Association, the company champions a regenerative approach to tourism, seamlessly integrating sustainable practices into every facet of its operations and prioritizing ethical considerations in all its endeavors.
These significant nominations are more than just an acknowledgment of Say Hueque's operational prowess; they are a celebration of its core mission: to elevate travel into an experience that is ethical, deeply responsible, and profoundly connected. The company's dedication to creating meaningful journeys, powered by a team of local experts passionate about their homeland, sets a benchmark for the industry. By supporting Say Hueque, travelers contribute to a vision of tourism that respects and enriches destinations, fostering a positive ripple effect that extends far beyond the journey itself, embodying a truly progressive and beneficial model for global exploration.
This inspiring narrative chronicles the remarkable life of Betty Birrell, a true pioneer in the world of mountain biking, whose vibrant spirit and indomitable will defy the conventional boundaries of age. At 73, Betty continues to conquer the challenging trails of British Columbia's North Shore Mountains, serving as a powerful testament to the idea that passion and perseverance can overcome any physical limitation. Her journey, documented in Patagonia's compelling short film, 'North Shore Betty,' is a celebration of adventure, resilience, and the joy of embracing life's exhilarating challenges, regardless of one's years.
Betty's story resonates deeply within the mountain biking community and beyond, offering a beacon of motivation for individuals seeking to maintain an active and adventurous lifestyle well into their golden years. Her unwavering commitment to the sport, despite a history of injuries, underscores a philosophy of life where obstacles are merely opportunities for growth and excitement. She embodies the essence of living fully, encouraging others to view their own existence as an expansive playground filled with endless possibilities and thrilling experiences.
The Pioneering Spirit of an Enduring Athlete
Betty Birrell, the central figure of the Patagonia film 'North Shore Betty,' embodies the spirit of a true adventurer, showcasing how age is merely a number when it comes to pursuing one's passions. From her early days as a trailblazer in women's windsurfing during the 1980s, Betty demonstrated a profound connection to extreme sports. Her transition to mountain biking in her mid-forties, while balancing the responsibilities of a single mother and a flight attendant, highlights her remarkable dedication. Embracing the challenging terrain of the North Shore Mountains, often referred to as the birthplace of mountain biking, she quickly became proficient on the trails meticulously crafted by Todd 'Digger' Fiander, proving her adaptability and fearless approach to new adventures. This remarkable journey underscores a life lived without compromise, constantly pushing boundaries and embracing new challenges.
Her unyielding spirit is further exemplified by her philosophical outlook on injuries, viewing them as minor setbacks rather than deterrents. Despite breaking multiple bones and suffering various dislocations, Betty's resolve to continue riding remained unbroken, showcasing an extraordinary level of resilience. Her former partner's comment that she treated life as 'one big playground' was, for Betty, the ultimate compliment, perfectly encapsulating her adventurous and joyful disposition. This perspective has not only sustained her own journey but has also served as a profound inspiration for others, including Lea Holt, a nurse who found renewed motivation to continue mountain biking into her fifties after witnessing Betty's enduring passion. Betty's influence extends far and wide, cementing her status as a revered legend within the North Shore biking community, where she is recognized and celebrated for her inspiring tenacity and her living proof that an adventurous life knows no age limit.
A Legacy of Inspiration and Unwavering Passion
Betty Birrell's enduring legacy extends beyond her personal achievements on the trails, serving as a powerful source of inspiration for countless individuals within and outside the mountain biking community. Her story, vividly portrayed in 'North Shore Betty,' highlights an extraordinary journey that began with pioneering women's wave sailing in the early 1980s, a testament to her adventurous spirit from a young age. This foundational experience laid the groundwork for her later foray into mountain biking in the early 90s, a sport she embraced wholeheartedly, even as a single parent and a full-time flight attendant. Her ability to integrate such a demanding passion into a busy life, particularly by sharing it with her son, illustrates her holistic approach to life, where challenges are transformed into shared experiences and opportunities for connection.
The impact of Betty's unwavering commitment is evident in the testimonies of those around her. Fellow mountain biker Amanda Moffat notes Betty's celebrity status on the North Shore trails, where riders often call out to her, acknowledging her legendary presence. This widespread admiration is not just for her skill but for her steadfast refusal to let age or past injuries dictate her capabilities. At 73, with plans to continue riding into her nineties, Betty sends a clear message: older individuals have every reason to remain active and engaged. Her dynamic presence on screen, navigating rocky paths, sharp bends, and dense forests with remarkable agility, visually reinforces her philosophy that the human spirit, when fueled by passion, can defy conventional expectations and continue to experience the thrill of adventure, no matter how many years have passed.
A remarkable kayaking journey around the entirety of Great Britain has reportedly concluded, setting a new benchmark for speed and endurance. The challenging endeavor, covering an extensive coastal route, showcased extraordinary human resilience and navigational expertise. This achievement has ignited discussions within the adventure sports community regarding its implications for future long-distance paddling expeditions and the verification processes for such ambitious records.
This incredible feat of solo kayaking endurance, pushing the boundaries of human capability and aquatic exploration, stands as a testament to meticulous planning and unwavering dedication. The journey, fraught with the inherent unpredictability of maritime conditions, demanded continuous adaptation and exceptional physical and mental fortitude from the paddler. The success of this expedition also underscores the vital role played by support teams in facilitating such high-stakes adventures, providing crucial logistical and personal assistance throughout the demanding voyage.
A Triumph Over Maritime Challenges
On July 18, a Polish paddlesports enthusiast, Sebastian Szubski, concluded a solo kayak journey around Great Britain. He navigated the 3,000km route in just 37 days, surpassing the previous record held by Dougal Glashier from 2023 by three days. Szubski initiated his expedition on June 12 from Western Scotland, immediately encountering the typical severe waves, exhaustion, and unpredictable weather characteristic of the British coast. His carefully planned course guided him along Scotland's rugged shoreline, down the coasts of England and Wales, across the Bristol Channel, through the Irish Sea, past both Ireland and Northern Ireland, and eventually back to his starting point in Scotland.
For a significant portion of his voyage, Szubski maintained a pace comparable to Glashier's record, averaging 80km daily to meet his goal of completing the circumnavigation within 40 days. The initial segment of his journey, starting in Scotland, began idyllically, offering picturesque views and sheltered waters among the islands, which Szubski described as paradise. However, this serene beginning was short-lived, as on the second day, he faced critical issues with his kayak's rudder and a significant leak, coupled with turbulent seas, rendering his vessel difficult to control. He narrowly avoided a collision with the cliffs near the iconic Old Man of Stoer sea stack, highlighting the perilous nature of the challenge. From the seventh day onward, his routine stabilized into an arduous cycle of paddling, eating, and resting. He often spent up to 16 hours daily in his kayak, with tidal currents frequently dictating his schedule, often requiring pre-dawn starts in adverse weather conditions to maintain his rapid pace.
Defining a New Standard in Circumnavigation
By the eighteenth day, the intrepid kayaker had reached the halfway point of his demanding journey. A strategic decision to navigate past Dover under the cloak of night allowed him to bypass the world's most congested shipping lanes, although this segment was complicated by technical failures that left him without essential lights or radio communication. Throughout the expedition, a dedicated support team provided crucial assistance on land. Their recovery efforts focused on immediate post-paddling needs, including documenting footage for Guinness record verification, assisting with changes into dry attire, and ensuring the consumption of high-calorie meals. The support team also provided massages and arranged for rest in a rooftop tent, offering brief respite from the relentless paddling.
Upon Szubski's announcement of his intention to circumnavigate Britain by kayak, some members of the British paddling community expressed skepticism, particularly given his reported lack of prior sea kayaking experience on Britain's notoriously challenging coastlines. In preparation for this monumental undertaking, Szubski, alongside Sebastian Cuattrin, had previously completed a 200km section of the River Thames in just under 22 hours in July 2024. Later that year, he trained with Mike Lambert, a former British canoe sprinter who had completed a 58-day kayak circumnavigation earlier, further honing his skills. Despite being born in Poland, Szubski represented Brazil in the 2004 Summer Olympics in sprint canoe and 500m doubles kayak events. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the longest distance covered by canoe or kayak on flat water in 24 hours, an impressive 252km. While Szubski asserts his circumnavigation as the fastest around Great Britain, and several news outlets suggest he has broken a Guinness World Record, the official ratification process remains undefined, as Guinness World Records does not currently list a comparable record on their website, leading to ongoing debate within the adventure community regarding the credibility of some record-keeping organizations. The specifics of how Szubski's reliance on his support crew, accommodation choices, and exact route compare to previous record holders like Dougal Glashier and Joe Leach are still being scrutinized, as these details could significantly influence the perception and official recognition of his accomplishment.