Dad breaks Guinness World Record for being on a swing - and finds love

14 September 2023 , 14:34

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Richard had always dreamed of breaking a world record (Image: GWR / SWNS)

There is a world record for everything, the fastest man, the strongest woman, the oldest person that has ever lived.

Now the world record for the longest time spent on a swing has been made, by a 53-year-old dad from Kinross, Scotland. Richard Scott broke a world record by spending 36 hours and 32 minutes going back and forth on a swing. To his surprise and joy, he found love while doing it.

The dad-of-three had always dreamed of breaking a world record, but had never known what to attempt until a trip to the part with his then 10-year-old son. Richard searched the internet for marathon swing world records, finding the previous record set by American Quinn Levy in 2020 - 34 hours. He leapt into action, ready to take on the title, with a local business building and installing the swing for maximum comfort.

Richard Scott with Alana on their first date at a Bryan Adams concert (Richard Scott / SWNS)

Guinness World Records require independent witnesses to confirm record breaks and one was Alana Brown.. The two struck up a conversation, going on a date shortly after Richard's record-break - and the pair are still happily together, more than a year later.

Guinness has today (Thursday) confirmed the world record. Richard said: "I always read the book when I was a kid, and still do. When I was a kid, I loved playing on the swings and back then wondered what the record for the longest time on a swing was and thought I could maybe do it. But then I grew up and stopped playing on the swings so didn't do anything about it."

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Richard did extensive training before his attempt - but the massive feat was still an uncomfortable one. He said: "I trained for six months beforehand - I run, I swim and I do karate, so it was just about overall fitness and developing my core. I did a lot of stretches. The swing wasn't as easy as you would think! My hip flexors got really sore quite quickly, after about four hours. I had stretches to do both on the swing and during my breaks to try and help but they were really sore for most of the swing. They were still fragile for several months after."

Guinness World Records allows for short breaks after each hour, and competitors are able to save them up for longer rest periods.
Richard used his breaks to eat, use the bathroom, and even go for a 12-minute power nap. Luckily, he was able to avoid boredom through the constant streams of friends, family and Rotary Club members coming to support him.

"It wasn't boring - so many people came to see me on the swing and kept away the boredom. They offered a lot of support and encouragement. Alana came along to the second volunteer shift - that was the first time I ever saw her, sitting there on my swing. We got chatting and she came back the next day to see how I was getting on and I asked her out - our first date was to a Bryan Adams concert." It was fun, but the pain was really bad. That was the most difficult thing, but the support from everyone made it so much easier. I couldn't have done it without them."

Richard with his certificate confirming his world record (GWR / SWNS)

Richard, now in a happy relationship and with a Guinness World Record title, isn't done yet - he's determined to create his own, brand-new record next year. He said: "If someone was to break my record, I would do it again. I know what to expect now. I'm still waiting for Guinness World Records to get back to me to see if they will acknowledge the record, but it involves riding a bicycle while playing the bagpipes!"

A Guinness spokesperson said: "Richard Scott has claimed the record for longest marathon on a swing after spending 36 hr 32 min going back and forth on a swing set."

Elizabeth Hunter