OPERATION: BREAK THE WORLD RECORD
The idea was born a few years back and took off from there: what if we broke the world record for the number of tubes towed behind a boat? Although it might seem like a small feat, the logistics were wildly complicated to a point where we weren’t sure it could be done. Between choosing the right tubes, making sure rope lengths were both safe and efficient, finding trained professionals who were passionate about our goal, and locating a boat big enough to pull them all – this record truly was years in the making.
Flash forward to February 20, 2019. Our team set sail on a super yacht down in the Bahamas, and preparations were underway to make breaking this record a reality. The cove where we were planning to ride tubes that day was scheduled to get rain and strong winds – it was on to plan B. We spent a few hours sailing south, until we found an area with warm, deep water, minimal wind, and sunny skies as far as we could see. It was time to do this thing.
It took multiple hours to fill up each tube, prep our video and photo equipment, and go over the plan with each tube rider. Finally, at 1:10pm, we set sail. The only thing that could be heard as the boat began to move were cheers and excited screams over the sound of the engine.
Everything seemed to be going according to plan for the first half of the ride. We needed to tow the tubes for exactly 57 minutes and 12 seconds, without anyone falling off, to break
the world record. We were about 40 minutes in when we hit a patch of choppy water that caused one of the riders, the man who originally conceived the idea of the world record, to slip on the Poparazzi. We all held our breath and waited to see if he had fallen off the tube – which would have ruined our chances at bringing the record home. A few seconds went by before he stood back up with both hands in the air. Our team, the boat crew, and our tube riders immediately exploded into cheers.
At around 50 minutes, we all started to realize that this was actually going to happen: Airhead was going to hold the world record for the most tubes towed behind a boat. The thought almost seemed unreal, but we were only a few minutes away from seeing it through. With only a few seconds left, we started counting down: three, two, one... WE DID IT! The cheers from the yacht were so loud that neighboring boats started honking their horns in celebration. Our tube riders excitedly jumped off their tubes and into the water, and the boat crew started popping champagne.
After multiple years of planning and preparation, the world record was finally ours. It was truly the highlight of Airhead Yacht Week, and a moment we’ll remember for years to come.
A big thank you to all those who made this dream a reality. We couldn’t have done it without you!
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