Sunday, May 22, 2011

Chasing a Dream: Breaking a Guinness Record - Belvidere Event Photographer

Have you ever said, if I could ever do something in my lifetime...it would be?? Would be be somewhere to go on vacation, buy a sports car, or how about break a Guinness World Record? 

When I received the message from Holly that her husband, Dominic, needed a photographer to cover this event I was immediately intrigued!

Dominic was going to attempt to break not one, but TWO records for "Juggling Upside Down" and "Most Tosses and Catches While Upside Down". The previous record held was for 5 mins and 45 sec, and 781 toss and catches.

When I arrived at Rivers Edge, in Belvidere, IL it was very exciting to be a part of. I found myself somewhat nervous for Dominic, and wanting to see him not only beat, but demolish the record.

Guinness has a whole list of rules to follow in a record breaking event. Such as needing so many people to verify counts, time, etc. They all had to be reputable people within the community. The Belvidere Police and Fire Department were generous enough to send out a few officers.  

He put on his boots, and hopped onto the bars and he started. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.I was lucky to be the one snapping the pictures, as I'm not sure I would have been able to count.

Into his first run, he started losing a little control, and I could feel myself going "Ohhh no!"  He came off the bars, took a few minutes to let the blood go back into his feet, then jumped right back in!

In the end, he successfully beat the two records juggling for 8 minutes and 12 seconds along with someone in the 1440's for toss and catches. An exciting time for him and his family! 

This week the family welcomed baby number four, not bad for things to happen in a week's time!

Thank you for letting me be a part in your event! Congrats on the new arrival!
  





Full of excitement and relief!! Belvidere's Guinness Record holder!!