Longest distance traveled by foot underwater: Joe Wilkie set world record (Video)
TONAWANDA, NY, USA -- Joe Wilkie, 21, a Town of Tonawanda pool supervisor, walked 73.6 meters (about 241.5 feet)underwater,
carrying a 25 pound weight, in 1 minute and 15 seconds, at the Aquatic Fitness Center- setting the new world record for longest distance traveled by foot underwater on a single breath. Photo: Clutching a 25-pound weight to hold him down, Joe Wilkie broke the Guinness world record for longest distance traveled by foot underwater on a single breath. (enlarge photo)
The Guinness world record for the largest underwater dance class consisted of 74 students and instructors who danced for 13 minutes and 30 seconds at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the largest underwater cycle race involved 22 scuba divers competing along the the 60-m (196-ft) long, 3-m ( 10-ft) deep 2e2 Underwater Cycling Challenge in Havelet Bay, Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK.
Wilkie smashed the existing world record of 50 meters (a shade more than 164 feet) with an official trek of 73.6 meters (about 241.5 feet)
"I went farther than I thought I would," said Wilkie, who remained in the pool while answering journalists' questions.
Wilkie said he made the record attempt for the feeling of accomplishment he got for knowing he's done something no one else ever has done.
"When I was hearing everyone in the shallow end, it was pretty cool hearing the cheers," Wilkie said. "It really motivated me to keep going."
Wilkie is a graduate of Cardinal O'Hara High School, where he played six sports his senior year. He's entering his senior year at Canisius College, where he's majoring in physical education and health education.
Joe Wilkie, 21, who has worked at the Aquatic Fitness Center off of Delaware Avenue since he was 16, never swam competitively.
But after the Cardinal O'Hara grad and longtime athlete injured a muscle in his abdomen a year ago, what began as physical therapy in the pool turned into a record-breaking pursuit.
"I always could hold my breath," Wilkie said.
"You accomplish something no one else has done, it feels good."
