3.18 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Dubai expat sets bungee World Record

The record-breaking jump is being attempted by Dubai resident and professional fitness coach Colin Phillips, who over the last 10 months has been performing numerous consecutive jumps every weekend in preparation for the official World Record attempt. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Vicky Kapur

Another Guinness World Record was made in Dubai yesterday, for the most bungee jumps in 24 hours at the Porsche Macan 24-Bungee event at the Dubai Autodrome in support of Breast Cancer Arabia.

The record-breaking jumps were accomplished by Dubai resident and professional fitness coach Colin Phillips, who over the last 10 months had been performing numerous consecutive jumps every weekend in preparation for today's official World Record attempt.

Phillips accomplished a total of 151 jumps in three sessions in 24 hours, trumping  the previous record of 105 jumps by a wide margin. He made the record 106th jump at about 11.15am on Friday, and then went for another 45 jumps in the final session last afternoon.

The first bungee session officially started at 7pm yesterday (Thursday, March 20), and lasted until 11pm. The second session began this morning from 6am until 10am and the final session was from 2pm to 7pm Friday evening.

The event is being operated by Gravity Zone, the only permanent bungee site in the UAE which operates in partnership with the UK Bungee club and adheres to UK standards.

The 32-year British national has been living in Dubai, UAE, for the past nine years, and holds a Sport Science Degree. “I’ve played professional rugby and have also been a professional sailor,” Phillips tells Emirates 24|7. “I am a professional fitness coach and advisor, and am currently training for the 2014 Crossfit Open,” he reveals.

We ask Phillips, a Casio GSHOCK sponsored athlete, on what inspired him to go for this amazing feat: “Ever since I received my first Guinness Book of Records from my mother at the age of 5, I have always found it fascinating and inspirational by how far people can actually push their bodies, abilities and skills to achieve the records. It has always been a boyhood dream of mine to join the greats of record-holders and have my name in ‘The Book’,” he told Emirates 24|7.

In the days and weeks leading to his current attempt in Dubai, Phillips has been working closely with the Gravity Zone ground crew and jump master, learning the business and technicalities of bungee jumping, as well as studying his body and its responses under the conditions.

Indeed, the record-breaking attempt is being done to support Breast Cancer Arabia, but why bungee jumping and why in Dubai in the UAE, we asked him. “It’s about seizing the moment and living life to its fullest, having no regrets or boundaries to one’s limitations, and also showing my support and returning the love for such an incredible country such as the UAE, its culture, leaders and people,” Phillips says.

For the event, extra professional man power from the UK Bungee Club have been brought in as well as multiple crane drivers and a sports therapist, ensuring safety is a top priority.

The previous record for most bungee jumps in 24 hours stood at 105 jumps and was achieved by Kevin Scott Huntly of South Africa on May 8, 2011.

Although Phillips aimed to complete 200 jumps by the end of the 24 hours, he had to be satisifed with 151 jumps after the brutal jumps tested his ohysical and mental fitness to the core. An official judicator from Guinness World Records was on site to verify all jumps and ensure adherence to Guinness guidelines.

Supported by the Dubai Sports Council, the aim of the Porsche Macan 24-Bungee event is being organised to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Arabia, an organisation that has been able to do big things with the support of the community and events such as this.