On July 15, 2017 we set out to break the world record for most people handstanding at one time. For over 10 years, the record has been held by a Belgian group with an impressive total of 399.
So on a sunny Saturday in Dolores Park, the group assembled. As the crowd filed into the designated area, the suspense was palpable. Would we have enough? As the last person joined us, we cast a nervous glance at our counters… "349!", they told us. We needed 50 more people! But a group of Handstanders is a powerful thing. Not to be deprived of their glory, the entire group called to their neighbors on the hill. "Break a world record! Break a world record! Break a world record!" And that is how we set a world record. By inspiring action from masses of park-goers otherwise enjoying a day of leisure. By challenging those on their blankets to take part in history rather than watch it go by. By asking every person to treat complete strangers as a team and accomplish a shared goal.
Now we wait. The photos are in. The names collected. The drone footage examined. We've submitted our application to Guinness and we await their approval. They're a slow moving bunch, but feel free to give Guinness some encouragement. Regardless of what they say, we know that July 15th was a special day.
So Why Did We Do This?
Because we needed this! Have you ever read those news stories about really successful 20 & 30 somethings and think, "Wow, what have I done with my life?" Well now we have an answer: we helped set a world f*cking record.