July 4th, 2011
If you've ever visited or lived in South Africa, then there is no need to convince you of how amazing it actually is. Just in case you happen to hold a different opinion we've put together a selection of someof the awesome as well as quirky Guinness World records either made on South African soil or held by a South African.
Here's to a record breaking 2011...
Longest surfski journey
Gerhard Moolman covered a distance of 6 152km on a surfski between Hout Bay, South Africa and Lamu, Kenya, from 20 April to 23 October 2002. This guy's biceps must have been super pumped after this mammoth journey.
Most runners in an ultra marathon
According to the Guinness Book of World records site, the most runners in an ultra marathon is 14 343 and was achieved by participants of South Africa's legendary race the Comrades Marathon. This record breaking race, organised by the Comrades Marathon Association, was run on a route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on 30 May 2010. This year the race will be run from Durban to Pietermariztburg on Sunday 29 May.
Most bungee jumps in one hour (20 metre bungee cord or more)
On May 9 2003 Veronica Dean performed a whoppng 19 bungee jumps in one hour at South Africa's Bloukrans River Bridge in the Eastern Cape - at 216m it also happens to be the World's highest commercial bridge bungee jump.
Photo: Wikimedia commons
Oldest person to bungee jump
The oldest person to bungee jump is Mohr Keet, born 31 August 1913. He completed his latest jump when he was 96-years-old at Blaukrans Bungee on 10 April 2010. Just goes to show age ain't nothing but a number.
Fastest bicycle journey Cairo to Cape
Chris Evans, David Genders, Michael Kennedy (all UK), Paul Reynaert (Belgium), Jeremy Wex, Steve Topham, Scotty Robinson, Andrew Griffin (all Canada) and Sascha Hartl (Austria) cycled from Cairo, Egypt, to Cape Town, South Africa, in 119 days 1 hr 32 min from 18 January to 17 May 2003 during the inaugural Tour d'Afrique.
Largest cycling race
Recently attended by Lance Armstrong himself, The Cape Argus Cycle Tour in Cape Town, featured 42 614 entrants to become the largest cycling race in 2004 - a massive 31 219 of those entrants actually crossed the finish line. The 2011 race takes place on Sunday the 13th of March.
Largest stamp mosaic
The largest stamp mosaic measures 162 m². Created by a joint group of volunteers from the South African Post Office and the Hatfield Tuition College at the Tshwane Events Centre, Pretoria, South Africa between 12 September and 12 October 2010.
Largest bubblegum mosaic
The largest mosaic of wrapped bubblegums measured 19.4 m² (209 ft²) and was created by TBWA Digerati and ID Productions in association with SABC 1 and Cadbury's Chappies in Johannesburg, South Africa on 17 August 2004.
Bubblegum mosaic. Photo: www.guinnessworldrecords.com
Most Sparkling Wine bottles sabered in one minute
Andrew Duminy sabered 27 bottles in one minute at the Bull Run Restaurant, Sandton, South Africa on 14 February 2010. Now that's a lot of bubbles on tap.
Longest barbeque Marathon
Next to the Australians, nobody loves a good braai quiet like South Africa, which is why it makes sense that we hold the record for the longest barbeque marathon. Jan Braai spent a full 28 hours and 30 minutes at the coals in The Water Amphitheatre, Cape Town 17 September 2010 to sizzle his way into the world records.
Most surfers riding a wave
The record for the most surfers riding the same wave simultaneously is 110, in an event organised by Kahuna Promotions, at Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town, South Africa on 4 October 2009.
Largest football
The largest soccer ball measured a diameter of 15.66 m (51 ft 4 in) and was created by KIA Motors and Emperors Palace Resort and Casino in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 5 July 2010
Largest Vuvuzela
The largest vuvuzela is 35 metres long and 5.5 metres in diameter at the front. It was created by Hyundai Automotive South Africa and was presented and measured in Cape Town, South Africa, on 26 May 2010 ahead of the Soccer World Cup.
Photo: www.jalopnik.com
Earliest person to score six sixes in one over during an international cricket match
At the 2007 World Cup, Herschelle Gibbs became the first person to score six sixes in one over in an international match against the Netherlands at Basseterre, St Kitts.
Farthest flight by a paraglider team of two
The greatest distance flown in a tandem paraglider without landing is 356.2km by Richard Westgate and Phillip Bibby from Vosburg to Krompoort Farm on 7 December 2006.
Largest primary mirror
The William P Hobby-Robert E. Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory University of Texas, USA and the Southern Africa Large Telescope (SALT) in Sutherland, both have a 91-segment primary mirror which has a diameter of 11m.
Deepest Scuba dive
Verna van Schaik dived to a depth of 221 m (725 ft) in the Boesmansgat cave in South Africa's Northern Cape province on 25 October 2004. The dive lasted 5 hr 34 mins, of which only 12 minutes were spent descending.
Largest ensemble, marimba
The largest marimba ensemble consisted of 78 participants, all of whom played the marimba for over 10 minutes at Bishops Diocesan College, Cape Town on 29 October 2004.
Fastest relay 1 000 miles by a team of 10
The record for the fastest 1 000 mile relay by a team of ten is 99hr, 3min, 27 sec. It was run by Willie Mtolo, Graham Meyer, Jan van Rooyen, Dimitri Grishine, Daniel Radebe, Pio Mpolokeng, Oliver Kandiero, Frans Moyo, Simon Mele and Philip Molefi, all South African, from Cape Town to Johannesburg from 14-18 August 2002.
Know of any records we missed, why not post a comment below?
User Comments
Nuno GomesSubmitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/05/2011 - 08:55. |
Although this didn't happen in SA it was BY a South African with SA Support Nuno Gomes holds the deepest dive record - 318.25m |
Opel Rekord Moon MissionSubmitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 18:01. |
Opels are in the Rekord books for "driving" the equivalent of to the moon and back several times...about 20 years ago....so called "moon Mission"......drove up and down between Port Elizabeth and Swakopmund in Namibia |
TrackingSubmitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 18:00. |
My grandfather - look under Mammals; Dogs; Tracking....160kms by scent alone. He is off course the handler, not the dog ;-) |
Elvis ImpersonatorsSubmitted by Elvis on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 16:23. |
Most Elvis Impersonators at a sporting event - SA vs NZ Rugby at Soccer City |
Money MissingSubmitted by .50cal on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 16:22. |
The world record of the most amount of money ever stolen: The ANC, Billions a year |
Speed DateSubmitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 14:25. |
Didn't 5fm set the record this year for the biggest speed dating event in the world ever? |
Guiness Book of RecordsSubmitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 14:05. |
The world's first heart transplant by Chris Barnard |
The Etana daREDevil run 2010Submitted by G-Man on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 13:54. |
The most speedo clad men in one place doing a run!! |
Longest Kabab/SosatieSubmitted by Marius on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 13:23. |
Newcastle's Steel factory made a 2000m+ long sosatie in October 2008 |
35 piggies at onceSubmitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 16:14. |
contact Mr.Brain Moore his pig has break the record for the most piggies ever 35 .tel 082 802 2314 |
fordSubmitted by Gerrie on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 06:19. |
The largest Ford parade held at Phakisa in March 2010. I think it was 586 Fords in one parade |
Barefoot walk around South Africa,Submitted by Christo Swart on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 23:34. |
During 2009/2010 Jaco Swart walked BAREFOOT around the borders of South Africa Over 6000 kilometres. See facebook Jaco Swart or www.kaalvoetsolo.co.za |
JontySubmitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 17:41. |
I am sure Jonty Rhodes holds the record for the most catches by an outfielder in a cricket match at international level, 5. Please corroborate |
Foosball Table RecordSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/13/2011 - 13:44. |
Etana Insurance Company built the largest foosball table.... |
Basketball recordSubmitted by Patrick Beddy on Thu, 01/13/2011 - 09:54. |
Longest basketball marathon: |
Nuno Gomes holds the worldSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/13/2011 - 09:11. |
Nuno Gomes holds the world record for deepest scuba dive - 318.25 m |
Riaan ManserSubmitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 22:23. |
What about Riaan Manser's 2 ridiculous feats: Cycling around Africa on a bicycle! |
Fastest caravan towSubmitted by Schalk on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 16:37. |
According to Guinness World Records, the fastest caravan tow was achieved by a Mercedes Benz S600 driven by Eugene Herbert (South Africa), which reached a speed of 223.881 km/h (139.113 mph) towing a standard caravan at Hoedspruit Air Force Base, South Africa, on 24 October 2003. The record attempt was arranged by Risk Administrative Consultants. |
If you must nitpick .. theSubmitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 15:16. |
If you must nitpick .. the article said champagne bottles, not bottles filled with champagne .. if the bottle was filled with water, it is classified as a champagne bottle, as that is what its primary design is. The fact that at the time it was filled with sparkling wine, is irrelevant. |
Most Ballet KicksSubmitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 14:53. |
Jeanne-Carlin Cilliers (South Africa) performed 1,199 continuous grand battements alternating legs, at the Virgin Active Club, Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa on 5 March 2005. |
Longest Salad BarSubmitted by Katz0806 on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 14:51. |
The longest continuous salad bar was constructed by Nola Mayonnaise (South Africa) and measured 201.2 m (660.10 ft). The salad bar was displayed at the Kyalami Exhibition and Conference Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa on 2 February 2002. |
Longest Journey by JetskiSubmitted by Katz0806 on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 14:50. |
The longest ever journey on an aquabike (PWC) is 17,266.69 km (10,729 miles), by Adriaan Marais and Marinus du Plessis (both South Africa), who followed the west coast of North America south to the Panama Canal. They arrived in Panama City, Panama, after 95 days of navigation, on 19 September 2006. |
Most Bunjee Jumps in 1 HourSubmitted by Katz0806 on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 14:48. |
Veronica Dean (South Africa) performed 19 bungee jumps in one hour at Bloukrans River Bridge, South Africa, on 9 May 2003. |
Guinness World Record 'Biggest number of yachts in an inland racSubmitted by Vanessa Remmington Mama Action on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 14:35. |
It’s Official - Sanlam Round The Island Race a Record Breaker! A new sailing world record was officially granted by the Guinness World RecordTM. The Sanlam Round The Island Race 2007 made international sailing history in the category of 'Most yachts in an inland race '. The annual event was held at Lake Deneys Yacht Club (LDYC), Deneysville, Vaal Dam in the Free State on the 4th February 2007. The record was measured by the 379 boats finishing the race and not on the 440 craft on the start line. |
Guinness World Record 'Biggest number of yachts in an inland racSubmitted by Vanessa Remmington on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 14:34. |
It’s Official - Sanlam Round The Island Race a Record Breaker! A new sailing world record has been officially granted by the Guinness World RecordTM. The Sanlam Round The Island Race 2007 made international sailing history in the category of 'Most yachts in an inland race '. The annual event was held at Lake Deneys Yacht Club (LDYC), Deneysville, Vaal Dam in the Free State on the 4th February 2007. The record was measured by the 379 boats finishing the race and not on the 440 craft on the start line. |
Champagne/SparkingSubmitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 14:01. |
Who cares whether it was champagne or sparkling wine?!?! |
Shape Up or SHIP OUT!Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 13:55. |
Seriously, "Jnrb" - is it necessary to be that negative???? We live in the most beautiful country with so many beautiful features and people.... Yet you choose to focus on the bad and that what media portrays... for once the good is been showed, yet you try to smoother it with your attitude... Why not shape up or ship out??? |
MmmmmSubmitted by Jnrb on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 13:15. |
Who cares about the world record for the most Sparkling Wine bottles sabered in one minute when you have 65 murders comitted every day? Surely we are in the top 5 in the world. Call me a drag but seriously ... |
Longest DJ SetSubmitted by soothsayer on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 12:57. |
What about the longest DJ set played by DJ Black Coffee |
SwimmingSubmitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 11:52. |
What about the largest number of swimmers to swim a relay race in 24 hours - 3994 swimmers at DSG, Pretoria, 2009. |
Bloukrans no moreSubmitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 11:52. |
Bloukrans is no longer the highest commercial bungee jump in the World. That is now the Macau Tower, China at 233m (17m higher). Bloukrans now only holds the record for highest commercial bridge bungee. |
Missing recordSubmitted by ProudlySA on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 11:08. |
What about midmar being the biggest open water swimming event??? |
Most champagne bottles sabered in one minuteSubmitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/12/2011 - 11:07. |
They were not champagne bottles, they were bottles of sparkling wine. What is this inaccurate and misleading journalism!? |
