His name is Rex “Boatlander” Hayes, and he’s the kind of guy who makes you believe he was born behind the controls of something fast. Whether it’s a car, boat, or helicopter, Rex doesn’t just drive—he becomes one with the machine. And while people marvel at his skills, few know the strange journey that brought him to Hong Kong’s underworld. 

From Small-Town America to Virtual Greatness

Rex Hayes grew up in the sleepy town of Bend, Oregon, the kind of place where excitement peaked at Friday night high school football games and fishing on the weekends. Rex wasn’t interested in either. Instead, he spent every waking moment in front of a screen, glued to racing simulators, flight games, and anything else with wheels or wings. His parents, both mechanics, thought he was wasting his life. But Rex argued he was learning. And he wasn’t wrong. By the time he was 15, Rex had mastered every major racing game, every flight simulator, and even maritime strategy games. He could explain the nuances of helicopter aerodynamics, drift theory, and engine tuning—all without ever touching a real vehicle. But his big break came when a local flight instructor, impressed by his video game skills, invited him to sit in a real cockpit. To everyone’s surprise, Rex flew like a pro. “It’s just a bigger joystick,” he’d said, grinning. By his early 20s, Rex had honed his skills in real life. He worked odd jobs as a stunt driver, a test pilot, and even as a fishing boat hand in Alaska. But it wasn’t enough. He craved something bigger, faster, and more dangerous.

The Incident That Changed Everything

Rex’s life took a sharp turn when he accidentally stumbled into trouble while working as a freelance stunt driver in Los Angeles. A job that seemed simple—driving a sports car to a film set—turned out to be a cover for a drug run. Unwittingly, Rex became the wheelman for a gang of smugglers, and when the deal went south, he found himself leading a high-speed chase through the LA streets, dodging cops and helicopters. He should’ve been terrified, but instead, Rex felt alive. For the first time, he understood his purpose: he wasn’t just a guy who could drive—he was the best there was. After narrowly escaping the law, Rex fled the U.S. with a fake passport and a thirst for adventure. He found himself in Hong Kong, a city of neon lights, narrow streets, and endless opportunities for someone with his unique skill set.

Becoming Boatlander

In Hong Kong, Rex earned the nickname “Boatlander” during a wild chase through Victoria Harbour. Hired by a gang to smuggle stolen goods, he switched seamlessly between a stolen speedboat, a motorcycle, and, finally, a stolen Cessna to evade capture. His ability to adapt to land, sea, or air made him an instant legend in the criminal underworld. Boatlander quickly became the go-to wheelman for every gang in the city, from the triads to international smugglers. His reputation was built on three things. He can drive, pilot, or sail anything. From tuk-tuks to fighter jets, if it has an engine, Rex can operate it. He never gets caught. No matter how tight the police net or how chaotic the getaway, Boatlander always has a backup plan. He lives for the thrill. Rex isn’t in it for the money or the glory—he just loves the adrenaline rush of a perfect escape.

The Secret Sauce: Video Games

What makes Boatlander so dangerous isn’t just his natural talent—it’s his obsession with video games. Even now, between jobs, he spends hours in his apartment playing the latest simulators, testing new techniques, and mentally preparing for every scenario imaginable. His philosophy is simple: practice makes perfect, whether on a screen or in real life. He even credits his gaming habit with teaching him things real-world training never could—like how to anticipate unpredictable enemy movements or handle experimental vehicles. The criminal underworld doesn’t know whether to laugh or marvel at his methods, but they all agree on one thing: Boatlander is unmatched.

The Myth of Boatlander

Today, Rex “Boatlander” Hayes is a living legend in Hong Kong. The stories about him are as wild as his getaways. He once outran a SWAT team in a food delivery scooter after his getaway car was compromised. He piloted a stolen yacht through a typhoon to deliver a fugitive to safety. He’s allegedly flown a stolen helicopter into Macau and back to smuggle diamonds. But despite his larger-than-life reputation, Rex stays humble. He doesn’t care about wealth or power—just the rush of the game. He keeps a low profile, only showing up when the stakes are highest and the job is impossible.

Where He Stands Now

Boatlander is a wildcard in Hong Kong’s criminal underworld. He doesn’t work for any one gang but has connections to all of them. He’s known for his flashy style, often rolling up to jobs in brightly colored vehicles just for fun. His childlike enthusiasm for speed and danger makes him endearing to some and terrifying to others. While his past in America still haunts him, Rex has embraced his new life. As long as there’s a job that involves high stakes, impossible odds, and a need for the ultimate wheelman, Boatlander will be there, grinning ear to ear and ready to roll.