Teen Charlie O’Brien Breaks Swinging World Record

After 32 hours, Taradale High School student Charlie O’Brien, 16, has broken the world record for longest non-stop marathon on a swing.

O’Brien was allowed a five-minute break for every hour he swung, which he used for food, drink, the bathroom and sleep. He also used seasickness tablets to keep himself from throwing up. For sustenance he ate gingernut biscuits – because ginger settles the stomach – and drank hot chocolate.

During his world record attempt, it dropped to 9 degrees in the suburb of Taradale, Napier where O’Brien chose to swing, at the local Taradale Park.

He wore woollen gloves to prevent his hands from rubbing excessively on the chains; and gave several radio, print media and television interviews all while in the saddle.

O’Brien set his sights high, originally saying he wanted to break the existing record of 32 hours by a further eight hours, taking it to a grand total of 40.

Original article by The Sydney Morning Herald, April 18, 2019.