News

Otago University students are in the running to break 10 world records during Re-Orientation Week at an event organised by OUSA.

Students who are interested in breaking records have submitted their record idea to OUSA, who have then gone on to co-ordinate with Guinness World Records. So far, 10 ideas have been submitted which include grape throwing/catching, Marmite eating, a nerf gun battle and a bouncy castle marathon.

The event is being organised by OUSA’s Administrative Vice President Zac Gawn, who will also be entering the event. He has submitted the challenge of eating the largest quantity of Weetbix in a certain time frame, a feat that has never been attempted before. Although he is still waiting on confirmation from Guinness World Records, Gawn is hoping to fulfil his dreams of adding a world record to his CV.

When Critic asked Gawn why he had not entered for a world record in his outstanding ability to scull a bottle of wine, as proven in his electoral campaign, he stated that records must be “non-drinking-related.” This is unfortunate for most students, as that is really their only skill.

One member of the grape throwing/catching duo, Laurie Evans, said one of the reasons he wants to break this record is because “the guy who has the record at the moment spends his whole life breaking records, and the grape one is one of his favourites. It’s kind of the reason I wanted to take it off him.”

Aside from having the world record in his name, Evans admitted the real reason behind this attempt: “I basically decided to go for the world record because it would obviously pull all the middys,” he said.

This is the first year that OUSA have been involved in an event to break world records. Gawn stated that “it’s a good activity to get out there, it enables mingling.”

Gawn also said that anyone who is interested in breaking a record should contact him at adminvp@ousa.org.nz