The success of the 5th annual Guinness World Records Day – celebrated this November 12 – has proved once again that the public has an insatiable appetite for witnessing or participating in world record events. An estimated 250,000 people took part in this year’s events, helping to raise thousands of dollars for various charities and drawing attention to the fun and excitement that can be had when trying to get your name in the world’s best-selling copyright book.
Kicking off events outside the Sydney Opera House in Australia were a group of skimpily clad exhibitionists striving to break the record for the largest swimwear parade; sadly, only 235 people turned up – not enough to qualify for the record – demonstrating that not every attempts leads to a Guinness World Record!
After the disappointing start, things quickly started looking up. Multiple record holder Alistair Galpin of New Zealand bagged himself not one but three records – for Champagne-cork spitting, coin blowing, and Malteser (malt ball) spitting. In China, Tao Yongming set a new Guinness World Record for fastest ascent of a sand dune on a motorcycle, while in Egypt, Heshim Nessim also set a new standard for the fastest vehicle crossing of the Egyptian desert.
Soon, half of the planet was indulging in record breaking. In Turkey, the concrete was flying as strongman Ali Bahecepete hacked away at the most concrete blocks broken in 30 seconds and in 1 minute, and in Albania, artist Saimir Strati turned art on its head and crafted the largest mosaic made out of paint brushes. In the Middle East, Lebanese model-maker Toufic Daher erected the tallest matchstick model (of the Eiffel Tower) and fellow countryman Nabil Karam did an official count of his largest collection of model cars (22,222!).
As Europeans woke up to the morning news, they began to hear stories of the most translated comic book, The Adventures of Asterix by Goscinny and Uderzo, the latter of whom was on hand to accept his Guinness World Records certificate. The most nationalities in a sauna (Finland) followed, along with the fastest human wheelbarrow (also Finland), the fastest time to eat a bowl of pasta (Italy), the fastest time to eat and peel three lemons (Denmark), and the largest gingerbread man (Norway) – presented to the IKEA Furuset in Oslo by Sultan Kosen, the world’s tallest man!
The Germans put on a particularly good show, tackling at least seven Guinness World Records, from the farthest distance reached on a water slide to the most dominoes stacked on a single piece. But beating the Germans in the numbers game was the UK, with eight attempts including most couples hugging in a minute, longest conga on ice and fastest time to inflate and burst a hot-water bottle. The highlight in the UK was Manjit Singh – the “Iron Man of Leicester” – establishing a record for the farthest distance to pull a double-decker bus with the hair.
By now, the United States was awake and raring to get their fair share of record breaking action. First off the blocks was the largest cup of hot chocolate in New York, followed by the largest collection of lipstick prints by the Big Apple’s Cosmopolitan magazine. And the records kept on falling: In Memphis, Tennessee, the Universal Cheerleaders Association broke the largest cheerleading dance by 72 people, and in Fort Worth, Texas, the Stockyards Championship Rodeo established the record for the most people lassoing simultaneously.
As the sun set on the day, some records were still underway, others had yet to be reported back to Guinness World Records’ head office in London. What was sure, though, was that it had been a great day of record breaking. Congratulations to all those who took part, and commiserations to everyone who failed to make the mark! To those disheartened, don’t worry, you’ve got a year to get back into training for GWR Day 2010.
You can break a record any day of the week by visiting www.guinnessworldrecords.com
On the 12 November 2009 also known as Guinness World Records™ day, Shaun Jones was attempting to break his second world record in 8 days, during the build up to his attempt to break the record for Most Weight Squat Lifted in One Hour Shaun broke the record for the Fasted Hot Water Bottle Burst on the set of Blue Peter, smashing the previous record of 51.98 seconds set in the USA 2006, Shaun achieved an incredible time of 18.81 seconds.
The day had come after 5 long years of hard training and preparation for this amazing record attempt, Shaun who lives in Wroxham but runs a business based in Norwich, beat weightlifters from all over the world when he won his squat lifting class in the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation this year, and also won at the British Powerlifting Championships. Shaun said this was the event he’d been training for as it was a life goal to become a Guinness World Records™ record holder.
Shaun and his team had done a lot of advertising for the huge event to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
As the crowds came in to support their local hero he was warming up out the back with some light squats and a easy bike ride to raise his heart rate to get the vital leg muscles ready for this gruelling record attempt.
The stage was set, the crowds were in, Shaun was ready to start, on my signal Dominic (Shaun’s motivational coach and event MC) started the count down which got both the crowd and Shaun pumped up, Shaun started with a very impressive 240.4kg squat lift before moving onto 100.4kg for the majority of the record attempt.
As the record was underway the crowds of people were cheering along to help keep Shaun motivated and focused on his target of becoming a Guinness World Records™ success.
I could see the drive and determination in Shaun’s eyes as he continuously squatted the heavy 100.4kg bar. As time went on it was clear this record attempt was taking its toll as Shaun was starting to look drained and tired as the clock was counting down, as the end of the hour approached Shaun was putting every ounce of effort he had into the last and final few reps, these could be the ones to either make or brake his life dream.
The clock had finished and Shaun was unable to stand, proving he could of done no more, now it was a case of was his best good enough to beat the current record, this was set at 41,600kg, achieved last year in Russia by Sergey Rachinskey.
After confirming with the weight lifting judges how many reps were successful to the national powerlifting standards, I totalled up the lifts an it was my pleasure to announce Shaun’s final total weight, in the one hour period he had managed to lift a massive 46,798.8kg setting a new Guinness World Records™ achievement.
Shaun Jones demonstrated both physical and mental strength throughout the whole record attempt, allowing him to set this incredible bench mark for powerlifters from all over the world to now try and beat.
Adjudicated by Carl Saville
12 November 2009
On Tuesday 10 November 2009 adjudicator Ralph Hannah was invited to BBC's Blue Peter the longest running children's magazine programme for a special Guinness World Records Day attempt. Powerlifter Shaun Jones of Norwich, United Kingdom claimed he was going to be quicker than the fastest man Usain Bolt as he attempted the record for the fastest time to blow up a hot water bottle.
Shaun had been in training for months and we had a sneak preview here first. But despite all his hard work, on the day itself anything could happen and there was tension in the Blue Peter studio as Shaun prepared for this extremely dangerous attempt. In order to keep himself focused and in the zone Shaun had been accompanied by Dom his motivational singer who planned to spur Shaun to record glory with his inspirational rap.
Whether it was Shaun's training, Dom's singing, Blue Peter presenter's Helen, Andy and Joel's cheering or a combination of all three it worked! Shaun may not have been as quick as Usain Bolt's 100 metre record of 9.58 seconds but he can certainly burst a hot water bottle faster than Bolt can run 200 metres - Shaun smashed the previous record of 51.98 seconds by bursting a hot water bottle in an astonishing 18.81 seconds!
The lung-busting effort left Shaun flat out, literally as he collapsed to the floor. But there was no need to worry the new Guinness World Records record holder was just taking a moment to recover before accepting his certificate. What a perfect way to warm up for Guinness World Records Day on 12 November!
If you missed Shuan's record-breaking performance you can watch the attempt in full here
11 November 2009
In the lead up to Guinness World Records Day, Brits that tune into BBC1 children’s television programme ‘Blue Peter’, could be in for something very special. On Tuesday 10th November 2009 Norwich born power lifting champion Shaun Jones will attempt to break the record for the fastest time to burst a hot water bottle. That’s right; using only his breath Shaun will blow into the hard plastic container and literally attempt to blow the current record to bits!
This is Shaun stood alongside his singing motivational coach, Big Dom.
The record is currently held by the American, Brian Jackson. He managed the feat in 51.98 seconds at the Tahlequah High School, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, USA, on 13 April 2006.
We managed to get hold of some footage of the strong man in training:
Will he break the record? Find out on Blue Peter (BBC1) from 16:30 on Tuesday 10th November!
Interesting side note:
Blue Peter holds a Guinness World Record of its own for being the longest running children's magazine programme
Blue Peter (BBC, UK), was first transmitted from London's Lime Grove Studios on 16 October 1958 and celebrated 45 years on air in October 2003. Originally presented by Christopher Trace and Leila Williams (both UK), it has so far seen a total of 29 presenters, the longest serving being John Noakes (UK) who hosted from 1965-1978.
Elderly Australian couple, Richard Tendys and Wendy Stenberg-Tendys, CEO’s of YouMe Support Foundation, a registered charity in Vanuatu, are hosting a Guinness World Record on November 19th in Vanuatu, a tropical island in the South Pacific.
The aim is to raise awareness of the vital need of literacy and education in Vanuatu.
On November 19th, 2009, 820 Ni-Vanuatu children will attempt to beat the world record for ‘The Most Number Of People To Write a Story In 24 Hours’. The current record is held by 797 participants, organized by Novum Verlag GmbH in Neckenmarkt, Austria, on 15th July, 2007.
Vanuatu has around 156 different languages, in a tropical island archipelago that stretches across nearly 1000 kms. For the majority of the Ni-Vanuatu children English is their third or fourth language, following their home island language and Bishlama, the local common language used by the Ni-Vanuatu people. The students will have to add a sentence to the story, every 30 seconds, in English, if the challenge is to succeed.
In 2006 Vanuatu was voted the Happiest Country on Earth, based on its environmental footprint. Yet it is a tropical island country that has no free or compulsory education. Only 56% of children can afford to go to school and of those only 25% go to high school, with less than 2 % able to afford tertiary education. Plus there are many children who never set foot inside a school classroom.
The Guinness World Record Challenge story will be based around two children and a magic giant tortoise, (Vanuatu was once the home of giant tortoises). The characters fly over 1000 kms, across all 83 Vanuatu islands, in their race to gather pieces of a map, which reveals the hiding place of a long lost treasure chest.
The children’s travels will highlight the truly great features of Vanuatu, as they fly from the giant kauri forests and the biggest banyan tree in the world, as well as a live volcano in the deep south, to fire walking and water music in the north. They will visit a bank where pig tusks are the only currency and uncover all sorts of exciting challenges in their travels.
The story will be visualized by a talented Ni-Vanuatu cartoonist, Guy Deroin. The story will be published as an ebook on the Internet, as well as being printed into a hard copy. All sponsors to this exciting project will be published in the book.
These kids have dreams like all other kids. They just want the opportunity to be allowed to let their dreams come true. As the United Nations Charter says, every child has the right to an education. If the Tendys get to fulfill their dream (they are raffling their property on the Internet, to raise funds for the Foundation), many more students will be attending high school in the very near future.
A MAN PULLING A DOUBLE-DECKER BY THE HAIR, MASS CHEERLEADING AND A GIANT GINGERBREAD MAN…? IT CAN ONLY BE GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS DAY!
2 November 2009 (London, UK) – People around the world are getting ready to defy the monotonous month of November and break some wacky and wonderful records on the fifth annual Guinness World Records Day (12 November). Celebrated to commemorate the day in 2004 when Guinness World Records became the world’s bestselling copyright book of all time, Guinness World Records Day attracts hundreds of thousands of record-breakers around the world every year - in a true spirit of philanthropy and fun.
As in previous years, wacky and wonderful Brits promise to showcase their talent and raise money for their favourite charities on Guinness World Records Day. Among the dozens of attempts planned around the country, London will host the big comeback of 59-year old Manjit Singh who will perform a hair-raising attempt for the furthest distance to pull a double-decker bus with hair (New World Record). Also in the Capital, commuters will literally come together at St Pancras Station for the most people hugging for one minute (100), while hundreds will descend on Alexandra Palace as they attempt to skate their way into the records book for the longest conga on ice (107). In Southampton the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will team up with Justdance Salsa for the largest salsa dance (451). Demonstrating his physical strength in support of the British Heart Foundation, “British Master’s Squat Power Lifting Champion” Shaun Jones from Norwich hopes to grab the title for most weight squat lifted in one hour (41,600kg) and the fastest hot water bottle burst (51.98 secs). In Northern Ireland, Oaks Shopping Centre will celebrate Guinness World Records Day with a record attempt for largest human mattress dominoes (121) to raise money for Marie Curie cancer nurses, and Ballyclare High School will hold the largest sports lesson (250). Meanwhile, Carr’s Glen Primary School in Belfast celebrates it 70th anniversary by organising the largest gathering of people dressed as storybook characters (NWR).
Editor-in-Chief, Craig Glenday says: “Guinness World Records Day is a perfect opportunity for individuals and organizations to raise awareness of their causes, and this year’s line-up of record-breakers is even bigger and better than last year. We look forward to seeing dozens of new records being broken around the world and welcoming new achievers in to the family of Guinness World Records.”
Record-breaking mania on Guinness World Records Day will not just hit the UK, as countries around the globe put their best foot forward with amazing attempts such as the fastest vehicle crossing of the Egyptian western desert, during 24 hours in Egypt, largest bikini parade (281) in Australia, and most nationalities in a Sauna (57) in Finland. Elsewhere in Europe, Rolf Allerdissen in Germany will brave the cold November weather in a record attempt for furthest distanced covered in 24 hours on a water slide (75.72 miles) , and Norway sets out to get into the Christmas spirit early with the largest gingerbread man (593.53 kg). Across the Atlantic, the US will celebrate Guinness World Records Day with events including the largest cheerleading dance (225), in Memphis, Tennessee and most people lassoing simultaneously in Texas.
Now a global phenomenon, Guinness World Records Day commemorates the day in 2004 when the book became the world’s bestselling copyright title with a hundred million copies sold. Any records set on Guinness World Records day are short-listed for inclusion in next year’s edition of the book, which is currently enjoying a top position on the UK’s bestseller list. Information on the exact time and location of each of these events is found in the notes to editor. Some of the times are subject to change.
For further information, picture requests or attendance on UK events, contact:
Karolina Thelin or Amarilis Espinoza 0207 891 4518 / press@guinnessworldrecords.com
Notes to Editor:
UK & Ireland – Events on Wednesday 11th November 2009:
Farnborough, Hampshire
• 18:00: Largest gathering of people wearing underpants (146). For Cancer Research the people of Cardiff will be treated to the sight of over 200 men in their underpants. Tilebarn Close, Cove, Farnborough, GU14 8LS. For more information contact Louise Sayce on 07513 512 911
UK & Ireland – Events on Guinness World Records Day – Thursday 12th November 2009:
London
• 07:30: Most people hugging for a minute (100). London commuters get friendly and come together at Kings Cross St Pancras International. Pancras Road, London, NW1 2QP. Contact Kate Fisher kf@londoncommunications@.co.uk on 0207 612 8492
• 09:30: Furthest distance to pull a bus with the hair (NWR). Watch British strongman Manjit Singh attempt the ‘impossible’ in central London. Contact: Karolina Thelin karolina.thelin@guinnessworldrecords.com on 0207 891 4584
• 11:00: Longest conga on ice (107). The public are encouraged to put on their skates and get down to Alexandra Palace to participate in arguably the most fun record attempt of the day. Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY. Contact Jane Lawrence jl.directpr@btconnect.com on 020 7407 6882
Northern Ireland
• 11:00: Largest gathering of people dressed as storybook characters (NWR). Celebrating Carr’s Glen Primary School’s 70th anniversary over 300 children will dress up as their favourite storybook characters. 629 Oldpark Road, Belfast, BT14 6QX Contact Tony Young tonyyoung@live.co.uk on 028 9039 1286
• 14:00: Largest sports lesson (250). To promote the ‘healthy schools programme’ the students of Ballyclare High School will have fun, get fit, and hopefully achieve a new world record! Ballyclare High School, County Antrim, 31 Rashee Road, BT39 9HJ. Contact Andrea McCullough amccullough225@c2kni.net on 07729 266 422
• 19:00: Largest human mattress dominoes (121). Raising money for Marie Curie, The Oaks Centre in Dungannon will attempt to break the world record for ‘human dominoes’! Oaks Shopping Centre, Oak Road, Dungannon, BT71 4NA. Contact Barry Mcguinness barrymcguinness@btinternet.com on 07875 033 337
Norwich, Norfolk
• 09:30: Most weight squat lifted in one hour (41,600kg)and The fastest time to burst a hot water bottle (51.98 seconds) The incredible Shaun Jones will attempt to squat lift over 41,600 kg for over 60 minutes. And if that wasn’t enough Shaun will then attempt to blow up a hot water with his own breath! The event will raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Oasis Sports & Leisure Club Pound Lane Thorpe St Andrew Norwich NR7 OUB.
Bournemouth, Dorset
• 11:00: The most arm-linked people to stand up simultaneously (39). Over 100 students have something very special planned on Guinness World Records Day. Watch this space! The event is organised by Bournemouth University. Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole BH12. Contact Andie Hill ahill@bournemouth.ac.uk on 01202 961400
Morda, Shropshire
• 09:00: Multiple endurance world records. Guinness World Record holder Stephen Buttler and his cousin Luke Wright will attempt 5 world records between them. This includes Most tricep dips in one hour and most knee bends on a swiss ball in one minute. They will be raising money for Hope House (respite for terminally ill children). Contact Stephen Buttler smjbuttler@aol.com on 07790 618 197 (Mobile) / 01952 850425 (Work). Hope House, Oswestry, Nant Lane, Morda, Shropshire, SY10 9BX.
Southampton, Hampshire
• 18:30: Largest salsa lesson (451). In the run up to World Diabetes Day Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation are hoping to dance their way into the records book. Come and along and get involved. Barton Park, Chickenhall Ln, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 6RR. Contact: Talia Field TField@jdrf.org.uk on 023 8061 6643
US Guinness World Records Day Events:
Forth Worth, Texas
• Friday, November 6th/8-10 pm (CST) Most People Lassoing Simultaneously (*New)- The Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, Texas will be attempting to rope in a new world record for ‘Most People Twirling Lassos Simultaneously.’ For more information about the rodeo contact DeeDee Wix at 817-625-1025.
Memphis, Tennessee
• Saturday, November 7th/4 pm (CST) Largest Cheerleading Dance (225)- Varsityspirit.com gathers over 300 spirited cheerleaders to celebrate their sport by attempting the ‘Largest Cheerleading Dance’ at the UCA Mid South Regional Cheerleading Event at the University of Memphis Fieldhouse. To get involved, please contact Sheila Noone at 901-251-5959.
New York, New York
• Monday, November 9th /11 am (EST) Largest Cup of Hot Chocolate (*New)- World renowned dessert hot spot, Serendipity III, hopes to go for their second Guinness World Record (they currently hold record for the Most Expensive Dessert). For more information, please contact Joe Calderone at 212-832-9809
• Wednesday, November 11th/8-8 pm (EST) Largest Collection of Lipstick Prints (12 hours)- November 11th – Cosmopolitan Magazine, Maybelline New York and the United Service Organizations will be asking New Yorkers to pucker up as they attempt to set the record for most ‘Lip Print Kisses collected in 12 hours’ in Times Square. For more information, contact Jo Carne at 212 649 2000.
Miami, Florida
• Thursday, November 12th /4 pm (EST) Longest Marathon Reading Aloud (113 hours 15 min)- Beginning on November 3rd, members of International Solidarity for Human Rights -The New Generation, seek to set a new record for “Longest Reading Aloud Marathon by a Team” while reading the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, repeatedly for over 224 hours at the InterAmerican Campus of Miami Dade College. The event culminates on November 12 and promotes promoting education, understanding and respect for human rights. This is an official event of the 2009 Miami Book Fair International. For more information on this, please contact Elizabeth Sanchez Vegas 786 301-3019.
Across USA
• Thursday, November 12th/ - Most People Sport Stacking Simultaneously (222,560)- The World Sport Stacking Association and their annual STACK UP! Guinness World Records Day record attempt for will be taking place on Nov. 12th. Children from 1,406 schools (298,864 stackers) across the country are set to stack to try and beat last year’s numbers. Contact Bob Fox at 1-877-468-2877 (ext. 203)
For inquires about all US Events contact: Jamie Panas +1 718 513 7263 jamie.panas@guinnessworldrecords.com