Wednesday, September 16, 2015

  Longest journey in a pumpkin boat: Todd Sandstrum breaks Guinness World Records record (VIDEO)

   
TAUNTON, MA, USA -- Todd Sandstrum, 42, kayaked 3 1/2 miles in an 817-pound pumpkin down the Taunton River, setting the new world record for the Longest journey in a pumpkin boat while raising awareness of agriculture,
according to the World Record Academy.
Todd Sandstrum, 42, climbed into the 817-pound pumpkin and paddled 3.5 miles down the Taunton River.
  Photo: Todd Sandstrum, 42, climbed into the 817-pound pumpkin and paddled 3.5 miles down the Taunton River. (enlarge photo)

  The Guinness World Records' record for the fastest 100 m paddled in a pumpkin is 2 min 0.3 sec and was achieved by Dmitri Galitzine (UK) at Trafalgar Wharf, Porchester, Hampshire, UK, on 23 May 2013. In accordance with the guidelines Galitzine used a standard, commercially available kayak paddle. The pumpkin used weighed 272.16 kg (600 lb).

  Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the most people carving pumpkins simultaneously; it is 1,060 and was achieved by Galloping Grace Youth Ranch and the citizens of New Mexico (USA) in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA, on 26 October 2013.

    "I'm still in awe of the amount of pain that I pushed through to get it done," Sandstrum told newspaper The Enterprise about a week after his accomplishment.

    Sandstrum carved out the 817-pound gourd, lowered it into the Taunton River by a crane, and floated at least 3.5 miles.

    "My upper body is starting to feel normal," he said. "The last leg, when I could see the Route 24 bridge, my arms were locking up, my hands were so pruned, my knuckles were locked."

    Sandstrum also had to ride the pumpkin boat without modifying it in any way and without a motor. The pumpkin was grown and donated by a man in Plymouth.

   The kayaker said setting a world record was only a secondary goal -- his primary focus was getting kids interested in agriculture.
    "I was able to get across the true message of farming," he said. "It's about getting kids in the dirt and getting people to buy local and support local agriculture."

 
     Related world records:  
     Longest distance traveled by foot underwater: Joe Wilkie (Video)  

  Highest Shallow Dive: Darren Taylor aka 'Professor Splash' sets world record (Video) 

  Tallest waterfall kayaked by a women: Christie Glissmeyer

  Highest jump above water: Robbie Maddison

   Highest waterfall dive: Di Huanran 

   Longest saltwater dive: Robert Silva

   Highest waterfall kayak plunge: Tyler Bradt

   Most divers ironing underwater: Yorkshire Divers  
  

 

 

   
    
          Largest mattress: Dolidol Maroc

 
     Most people making heart-shaped hand gestures: Carrefour Belgium