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In one of the most extraordinary tests of stamina and mental resilience in stand-up paddleboarding this year, John Batson has emerged as the official winner of the 2025 Last Paddler Standing competition.
After completing an astounding 50 laps — 46 regular loops and four extended “super” loops — Batson secured the title as the final competitor able to complete the course within the strict hourly time limits. His effort totaled more than 170 miles (274 km) of continuous paddling around the Lake June course near Lake Placid, Florida.
The Last Paddler Standing race is a unique endurance event built around a relentless loop format. Competitors must finish a 3.33-mile loop every hour on the hour. As the field narrows, the challenge intensifies, with remaining paddlers required to complete a longer 4.9-mile super loop within the same time constraint. The race continues until only one athlete can successfully complete a loop in the allotted hour.
Batson’s performance was a masterclass in endurance racing. Battling extreme fatigue, changing conditions, and elite competition, he outlasted a field that included some of the most accomplished endurance paddlers in the sport. When others were forced to withdraw, Batson continued to meet the unforgiving clock, ultimately standing alone as the final finisher.
Race organizers and fellow competitors praised Batson’s determination and composure, calling his victory one of the most impressive performances in the event’s history. The win further cements his reputation as one of stand-up paddleboarding’s premier endurance athletes.
The Last Paddler Standing continues to grow as one of the sport’s most demanding and respected challenges, attracting paddlers from around the world who seek to test the limits of both body and mind. In 2025, it delivered once again — with John Batson proving that resilience, strategy, and sheer willpower can carry an athlete farther than anyone else on the water.