Back and forth: Second Napier teen to attempt world record marathon swing

It's been almost two years since Charlie O'Brien briefly captivated the nation with an off-the-cuff attempt to break the world record for longest continuous time on a swing.

The then 16-year-old Taradale teen's ultimately unratified effort was entertainment at its back-and-forth best as he battled cold, sleep deprivation, and seasickness to the finish line.

But now the pendulum is swinging towards another Napier teen, also 16, who's decided he wants the record for himself.

On March 6, 2021, 16-year-old Patrick Cooper will sit on the same swing set as O'Brien, in Taradale Park, and do his level best to not stay level for 33 hours.

Having wanted to break a world record since he was a child, Cooper became even more inspired when he watched O'Brien's attempt in April, 2019.

"It's every kid's dream to have a world record - it's impressive," Cooper said.

"I didn't really think too seriously about doing it until August last year when I reached out to Charlie O'Brien.

"Then at the start of this year I realised if I got sponsors, I could make this less about the world record and more about a good cause."

While he hopes to be able to beat the record, the main goal of his is to raise as much money as possible for Starship Hospital.

Cooper chose Starship as the cause to receive the money raised for a couple of reasons.

His brother was born with a cleft palate, so he understands how "life-changing" the work Starship Hospital does is.

"They really do change people's lives and they're great people, they provide great services."

He also experienced the kindness of the "extremely thoughtful" Starship staff himself a couple of years ago when he was sick in hospital two years ago and received a care package organised through Starship.

"It was really, really meaningful to me.

"I'd been volunteering at the aquarium before that and it just never occurred to me that someday the people [that] I help out could help me back, it felt really surreal to have someone volunteer for me instead."

Sponsors have committed a set amount per hour or a set donation regardless of the length of time.

There are 22 sponsors so far and currently if Cooper swings for 33 hours, he will raise about $875.

He hopes to raise more by March, with a goal of getting into the thousands.

"It becomes less about how many hours I swing, and more about if I swing for this amount of time, how much more money I will raise."

In 2019 Charlie O'Brien swung for 33 hours and 11 minutes at Taradale Park. Photo / File

Cooper said he has learnt a lot from O'Brien, who has been helping him out with some of the processes involved such as getting permission from the council to use the park and setting up a site safety plan.

There is a lot of work that goes into meeting Guinness World Record standards such as having cameras continuously recording, two clocks running, two sponsors on at all times and back up equipment.

His friends and family are also helping with organising and sponsorship, as well as taking shifts as moderators on the day.

As it gets closer to the day, he's going to begin coming to the playgrounds more to train.

O'Brien swung for 33 hours and 11 minutes, unofficially breaking New Zealand woman Aimee Pivott's record of 32 hours and 2 minutes.

O'Brien's record was never confirmed with Guinness World Records, so Pivott currently remains the record holder.

Those interested in sponsoring Cooper can get in touch with him by emailing pattythecoop@gmail.com.