World record
If you’ve already broken a world record way back in 1997, you’d be excused for wanting to take it easy and not attempted to beat your own record years later. But that’s just what Vernon Kruger is doing right now. The South African broke the record for the longest time sitting in a barrel on top of a pole 23 years ago after staying in the position for 67 days.
At present, he’s situated more than 80 feet up in the air and has been there for over two months. He intends to stay there for about 80 days to extend the world record by a couple of weeks, but who knows how long he’ll remain up there for?
About his experience, he says that he has found it easier this time around, with social media and talking to people standing below him making it a little less lonely. He even exercises every morning thanks to a personal trainer on the ground, as he can often wake up with aches due to the cramped conditions in the barrel – to qualify for the record, it has to meet certain size requirements.
Breaking records
Everything comes up and down to him by bucket, including his food as he gets sent meals from a variety of restaurants, making his days more interesting. He also has to wash using a basin twice a week, and he needed to use a helicopter to get into the barrel and will probably have to go back down in the same way.
Now in his early fifties, he’s left his wife and children at their home across the country, so he’s isolated from family – reportedly, his wife wasn’t thrilled about his latest plans. It all started years ago when on vacation he was dared to break the record for sitting in a tree by a friend and decided to go one step further.
Last year, a Filipino city broke another world record, just as bizarre and impressive as Vernon Kruger’s, as they formed the largest Nativity scene in the world. Meanwhile, Vernon is in company with celebrities, as they’re also breaking records. Do you know any other crazy Guinness World Records? Let us know!
