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.

Recent media

Wall Street Journal:
Shaking On It in Times Square

Read more about other world record
breakers and their achievements

Good cause of the month

Elephants For Africa, Botswana, is dedicated to elephant conservation through research and education.

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

On my mind

Dreams enrich our lives. Should suitable opportunities arise, could these be the ultimate?

exploration of the Mariana Trench – 11 kilometers below the surface of the Pacific
most roofs painted in 24 hours – change the earth's albedo
most animals adopted – wildlife placed in permanent care
greatest distance wing-walking – long-range, low altitude at high speed
longest lecture delivered from space – critical global issues

But not all my aspirations are so ambitious...

highest free-fall – from an airship, alight, into a pit of offal

None of this is funny, by the way. If I could make a career from it, I would. Look at celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Tiger Woods and others splashed across the pages of Forbes magazine. If they can find a niche to publicise themselves, others can. Indeed, the seemingly endless list keeps expanding: Britney Spears, Johnny Depp, Paris Hilton…

And let’s not forget countless others from Lady Gaga and Beyonce to Sandra Bullock and Arnold Schwarzenegger. They all turned their dreams into a career – whether by using eBay, hotels, music or so much more. So, in my humble way, could I not do the same with world records?

Even if I never get that far, wouldn’t it be incredible to work on a project with Richard Branson, Ashrita Furman or David Blaine? If I dream a little more, I imagine engaging with U2, David Attenborough and lots of others. But, realistically, I’d be overjoyed to attempt a world record with anyone famous – be they stars from the Olympics, the Academy Awards or anywhere in between.

And you’re correct… my mind is running away. But isn’t that what dreams are all about? So, rather than give up dreaming, I’ll let my imagination wander ever further: Eminem, Madonna, Jessica Simpson…

Ecological awareness

Visitors to my website know that I’m environmentally conscious. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to understand why some people link environmental messages to an awful lot of things.

Whilst I use my activities to educate and entertain people, it can work as a powerful means of getting messages across to those watching my quirky acts.

If your company is working towards improving credibility regarding sustainability issues then we can work together to get your approach across to a diverse audience, through the unique media or world record attemps. Let’s investigate possibilities, from recycling programmes to using sustainably harvested materials and more.

Read about ecological awareness and world records

Education can be fun, depending on how learners like it done!

Good environmental education must become essential in all school curricula for the sake of our futures worldwide.

Rural Indonesia is experiencing a circus of ecological destruction by armed workers, corrupt officials, big money and mercenaries. To combat this, we’re creating a suite of environmental education lessons - something that’s unfortunately lacking in the current government school curriculum.

These educational items need to reach children in communities where the Indonesian Government's own education system has difficulty penetrating. They will be downloadable by teachers, and include English-Bahasa Indonesia translations.

The effort and time this requires is definitely worth it because a global society that always considers nature before acting can only begin to develop on foundations of solid education. Wouldn’t that be marvellous?

Help us achieve this educational challenge by supporting our crowdfunding campaign.

Upcoming attempts

Records achieved

From the steamy tropics into cool news topics

Even though you can't see anything yet, a team is working furiously to arrange a series of world records that span several continents.

We know media doesn't normally venture into unstable regions of Africa, but this team is on a mission to help local wildlife. We're coming!

There's much collaboration between north America, Europe and a handful of African nations which many dream of visiting on romantic wildlife escapes and holidays with a difference. But it's not all so romantic where disrespect for nature means terrible treatment of natural environments – and this team is stepping forward to stand up for nature. We'll draw much-needed attention to sad circumstances affecting both humanity and the natural world. Plans being finalised in the tropics are all tied in with an as yet undisclosed visit to numerous Pacific Island states.

Watch this space. It's only a matter of time before years of paperwork and discussions become more world record attempts, producing an opportunity for you to get involved through sponsorship and helping to raise awareness of environmental issues. And if you're in mainstream media, let's chat about it.

Guinness World Records™ Day

Each November, I participate in this well-publicised global record-breaking bonanza.

In the words of Guinness World Records™, this is when "More than 300,000 enthusiastic go-getters around the globe aim to break some wacky and wonderful records on the annual Guinness World Records™ Day, which commemorates the day in 2004 when Guinness World Records™ became the world's bestselling copyright book. The day brings together people all over the world in their record breaking feats, and has been described by one newspaper as 'a healthy competition between nations to show off their best skills and talents'."

It's a prime opportunity for companies looking for worldwide exposure through sponsorship because my world record attempts at this time of year typically receive some of the highest exposure of all – including to the most 'local' corners of the earth. Scores of countries take part, and I see this event increasing in size every year. The atmosphere, driven by excitement but restrained by attemptee anticipation, spreads very fast. This is a lovely time, and one in which a sponsor can share in both the excitement and media frenzy which the event creates.

And yes, of course I'll be taking part in the next one. In fact, sometimes I begin planning things that take my fancy up to a year ahead. I just can't help myself.

So no need to complain that advertising your business is too expensive. Your solution could be right here.

" Is that all?," you ask

Well, actually, no it isn't. They say a wise man holds his cards close to his chest.
Since I like that saying, I think I'll follow its advice.

But what I can say is my mind is always racing with ideas. Perhaps some day I'll hire a private army and we'll go breaking world records everywhere from the ocean floor to the craters of the moon. But, alas, for now, I will be planning records in moderate doses. At this rate, every now and then you'll find me in media somewhere – perhaps in your latest magazine issue, in a TV clip, or on your airwaves.

See you around folks!