Alastair Galpin
took to world record-breaking in
2004 after being inspired by a record-setting rally
driver in Kenya. What began as a hobby soon escalated
into an active publicity pursuit. Today, he promotes the
work of social and environmental causes. For these
purposes, the most fitting game plans are chosen; then
world titles are attempted and frequently created.
Sustaining sponsor
If you would like regular exposure from Alastair's activities, become his Sustaining Sponsor:
- A range of attempts annually
- Your brand in multiple media
- Distribute your own media releases
- Receive product endorsements
More details about sponsorship opportunities
Special thanks
|
Behind every world record attempt is the expertise of professionals in their field. Their success underpins Alastair's. |
| They are listed here |
Furthest coin flick: 10.64 metres
This is the story behind my Guinness World Record™ for the Furthest coin flick.
My fingers just couldn't bear it.
I'd last broken a world record for flicking a coin some
years back and I needed more of the satisfaction. Since
I was craving the pleasure of flicking an item for
attention, I decided that to flick another coin would be
wonderful. Yet, there was no guarantee I would succeed.
It didn't matter because my desire just had to be
relieved. So I devoted a large part of my attention
henceforth to preparing to flick a little coin.
A world record adjudicator was to be
with me on the day this world record attempt was planned
for. Great, because I'd be given the result immediately.
The joy in me must have been overflowing, if the
positive comments I was receiving were anything to go
by. Of course, when one gets plenty of pleasant
feedback, they automatically become bubbly. And so it
was with me. I had a new-found spring in my step. What
an asset this was for helping me plan things so I'd be
in top form for the adjudicator's visit.
That day - the day an adjudicator
was to watch me - arrived very fast. Perhaps it was all
the excitement in me that had made time fly. I could
barely contain my eagerness to begin, and kept waiting
for an opportunity to announce my readiness. But that
would have been bad manners, so I had to bite my tongue
and wait. In his own time, the adjudicator got prepared.
My adrenalin was pumping. Those little coins hadn't a
clue what was coming, I told myself.
And sure enough, I sent coins sailing
through the air everywhere. On the driveway at the
venue, I positioned myself 12 or so metres from where
the TV crew and the adjudicator stood. Helpers stood to
the left and right, and the open patch formed by this
square became the centre of attention. On seeing his
nod, I flicked the first coin in the direction of the
adjudicator, unsure of whether I ought to use him as a
target. He wouldn't know if I did, so from my second
flick onwards, that's just what I did. I had to hide my
grin because I almost hit him and he had to sidestep
very quickly to avoid having a coin disappear into his
clothing. Although that coin struck the cement as
planned, it was not the winning flick. For that, I'd
need to work a little harder.
Helpers collected each coin and
passed it back to me, setting the cycle. I flicked and
flicked for almost 10 minutes before the trend showed by
the landing coins proved I had flicked the furthest I
was probably going to. The cameraman ran toward me,
holding the TV camera close to the ground and the
adjudicator walked up to me briskly. I was interviewed
briefly on the spot, while the cameraman danced around
to get footage at the best angles. I'd made it. The
adjudicator congratulated me and we shared a few
comments while I wriggled my hand vigorously and the
camera crew busied themselves alongside. It was a good
feeling for me, and the adjudicator knew it.
What I liked best of all was having
the adjudicator there. The result was instant and
couldn't have been mentioned to me at a better time. The
day was a good one, but the months that followed were
even better. Film footage of this world record was used
in the introduction for a global film reel about world
record-breaking and it was referred to in a number of
newspapers.