A Kayak Grown from Mushrooms Took on the Ocean
Artist Sam Shoemaker just paddled 26 miles across the Pacific in a kayak he literally grew out of mushrooms—and it held strong through 12 hours of swells, seasickness, and even a 50-foot fin whale that shadowed him for miles.
Why this is so cool: most kayaks are made from plastic or fiberglass, both derived from fossil fuels. They take huge amounts of energy to produce and won’t break down when they’re retired. Shoemaker’s boat—built from mycelium (mushroom roots) and hemp—is grown, not manufactured. It’s fully biodegradable, light on resources, and shows that adventure gear doesn’t always have to come at the planet’s expense.
If a mushroom kayak can take on the open ocean and a whale encounter, it makes you wonder: what if all our boats, bikes, and boards were made from renewable materials instead of fossil fuels? What would you want to see built first? 
This crossing proves it’s possible. Have you seen any innovative eco-friendly gear lately that gives you hope for the future of outdoor adventures?