After more than six months, Polish kayaker Aleksander Doba has completed his trans-Atlantic quest this weekend, kissing the ground at New Smyrna Beach in Florida.

Mr Olek, 67, set out from Portugal in his kayak last October with the goal of making the more than 6,500 mile crossing, but ran into difficulties in February, with harsh weather damaging his rudder.

He diverted to Bermuda to make repairs — still living off the rations that he packed in Portugal — before setting out again last March to complete the journey.

According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Mr Doba finally docked on Saturday morning, where he was greeted by dozens of supporters including New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer presented Mr Doba with a bottle of champagne and read a proclamation in his honour.