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 |
Most stamps licked in one minute: 57
This is the story behind my Guinness World Record™ for the Most stamps licked in one minute.
It's definitely not a good look to slobber in
public. But I enjoyed it. Of course, the secret to that enjoyment was
challenging myself to another world record. I'd practised for over a
week at licking postage stamps. It had cost me more than a decent
restaurant meal, but I didn't care. That's because I felt ready to
speed through however many stamps were laid in front of me right then.
I was with a world record adjudicator in a
shopping centre entrance.
The shop staff had laid out a row of tables and advertised that I'd be
attempting several world records there that day. All around were
posters advertising it. Customers stopped to watch me setting things
up: placing stamp after stamp a set distance from the edge of the
table, right side up, before placing a row of envelopes parallel so as
to form a regular pattern. Slowly but surely a crowd gathered and
children began to ask the questions I've learned to expect from them.
So I had ready answers for the youngsters wanting to know how many
world records I hold, what I was about to do, and where they could get
the latest book.
My stress
was low, since this wasn't a
high-pressure
world record environment. Calmly, I waited for the timekeeper to click
the stopwatch. And the instant they did, I was away – raising each
stamp to my mouth and plastering it onto the ready envelope in quick
succession. The way I'd practised meant I probably resembled some
industrial machine repeating a monotonous process at speed. Time seemed
to stand still as I scooped up each stamp, salivated as hard as I
could, wiped its underside across my tongue, and slammed it hard onto
the envelope's top right corner. Thankfully, I had enough moisture in
my mouth to complete the run, even though dollops of the bubbly liquid
landed everywhere as well as on the stamps!
The timekeeper shouted for me to stop
immediately, catching me in
mid-cycle. That one wouldn't count, and I knew it, so I relaxed my
stance. I could taste a little blood draining towards the back of my
mouth: I'd given myself paper cuts on the tip of my tongue. Together
with the spectators, we counted and recounted my handiwork, but nobody
wanted to touch it. I beamed as I waited for the adjudicator to
announce the result instantly. It was positive – I was awarded the new
world record on the spot. Wow! Isn't that exciting. “Another one done”,
I thought, while my mind was racing with ideas for the next
possibility.
I wiped slobber from both cheeks, my nose and my
shirt. Again, I smiled
at the staring onlookers, who were no doubt wondering about my sanity.
But I wasn't bothered; hey, I was one world record better than an hour
ago. Besides, they'd just seen truly unique live entertainment on their
shopping excursion. And I liked that.