After 48 hours of nearly non-stop swinging at Waitangi Park, Patrick Cooper may have broken the world record for the longest time spent on a swing. His swing-a-thon started on Friday afternoon and ended on Sunday, beating the previous record by 11 hours.
Cooper’s impressive effort wasn’t just for fun – he also raised money for a mental health charity called I Am Hope. Although he’s waiting for Guinness World Records to officially confirm it, his attempt already made headlines for both its endurance and heart.
The swing challenge began at 1:30pm on Friday, and Cooper kept going through sunny days, chilly nights, and even loud street parties. Supporters from nearby events, like the Cuba Dupa festival and local Park Run, cheered him on.
He described the early morning hours between 4am and 6am as the hardest. “Everyone was really tired, and the vibe was low,” he told reporters. He only took two short breaks in the first 36 hours, saving up his allowed five-minute hourly breaks for a much-needed one-hour nap later on.
Cooper had sore legs, tight calves, and even bruised feet from wearing shoes that were too small. But he stayed positive, even ending the attempt with a backflip off the swing. “I wasn’t quite as balanced as I usually am,” he joked.
After the swing session, simple tasks—like walking up stairs—were surprisingly difficult. Now, Cooper is focusing on submitting his official paperwork to Guinness, a process that could take up to three months.
