Looking to float a new record
CRBI aims to set world inflatable record at Rome’s Big Float June 2
CRBI aims to set a world inflatable record at Rome’s Big Float on June 2.
Rome’s Big Float, the Coosa River Basin Initiative’s annual 6-mile river celebration on the Etowah, is expected to get much bigger as the river protection organization attempts to set a world record for the longest line of inner tubes and inflatables.
“The goal of the Tube Train World Record Challenge is to create a human chain of inner tubes stretching a mile down the Etowah River,” said CRBI Executive Director Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman. “It’s symbolic in that CRBI works to unite diverse communities to protect our river, but mainly, it’s just going to be a lot of fun trying to set the record.”
CRBI estimates that it will take more than 1,000 people to create a mile-long chain. At a 2013 event in Portland, Oregon, the Human Access Project, another river protection group, created a tube chain of more than 600 people. However, the Guinness World Records recognizes only the “longest line of water inflatables,” a record set in July 2017 in Canada when the Welland Float Fest created a 543-foot line of more than 100 water inflatables.
Rome’s Big Float and the Tube Train World Record Challenge are set for June 2.
Organizers say the chain will be created from the event’s launch site at Gizzard Park and extend downstream. Once all participants are linked in the chain, the chain will be broken and floaters will drift down river at their own pace to Heritage Park where food, music and games will be waiting. An after party at River Dog Outpost will close out the day-long celebration.
Already local businesses and organizations are jumping on the Tube Train. Redmond Regional Medical Center, Scott Logistics, Profile Extrusion and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office have all agreed to participate by encouraging their employees to join the float. Local outfitters including River Ratz of Rome, Euharlee Creek Outfitters, Cool River Tubing Co. in Helen, Cartecay River Experience in Ellijay and Appalachian Outfitters in Dahlonega have agreed to provide inner tubes for the event.
CRBI is seeking other businesses as well as school, civic and church groups to participate.
“If successful, this will likely be the largest-ever gathering of humans on Rome’s rivers,” Demonbreun-Chapman said.