Kayaker Sets St. Johns Record

HUGUENOT PARK, FL -- Nine days and nearly 300 miles of river traveled by a young man on a mission -- but Daniel Robison says it's about much more than breaking a record.

For this ambitious Jacksonville 23-year-old, it's about drawing attention to one of our most magical resources: the Saint Johns River.

"When you develop a personal experience with that nature, it just gives it so much more value," said Robison.

"And I think it has the ability to change people. I think it changes the way they see themselves, see other people, see the world!"

Family and friends ran alongside Daniel on the Huguenot shore for the final quarter mile of his record-setting journey.

For his mom, Cheri Greenlaugh, there had been prayers for a safe journey. Now, there were tears of joy for prayers answered.

"We know Daniel loves the river and he's been out there a lot. So we felt pretty confident that he and God were going to make it through and so we're glad that he's finally at this end of it. We're very proud of him!"

Robison told friends one stretch of the mighty St. Johns was a bear to get through.

"Whitecaps with waves like this!" he said, motioning his arm over his chest.

"Like, half this boat was in the air throwing me all over the place. Took me like three hours to go from here to there!" said Robison, as he pointed to a small navigational map in his waterproof baggie.

In 88 days, a relieved Nicole Cushing will become Daniel's wife. She's looking forward to having her man back from the river that has held him for ten days.

"Yeah, I am!" beamed Cushing.

"I'm looking forward to it! He's all mine now!"

It is unclear who authored the famous prayer, "Oh God thy sea is so great and my boat is so small," but they are words not lost on Daniel Robison as he paddled and prayed while sharing this great body of water with giant container ships and other behemoths of man, alongside what he considers the greatest gift of nature.

"It's just so vast!" said a humble Robison.

"And the river just goes on forever and it's wide and you know it's going to take you hours just to get to the other side of this thing, and just the humility of seeing yourself as such a small piece in such a bigger story."

CLICK HERE to follow his adventure down the river.