Human whale grows and grows
PORT Stephens loves its whales – so much so that each year for the past six years, residents have gathered on the beach in an attempt to set a new world record for the largest human whale. This year was no exception.
Arriving at Fingal Bay Surf Club on the final day of the month-long Naturefest, we were greeted by a drumming circle and market stalls.
But it was over a small hill and on to the sand that the real action was happening.
Set out in the sand were a number of sticks, which don’t look like much from ground level.
But Imagine Cruises owner Frank Future, who had a vision and initiated the annual event, directed participants with the aid of a speakerphone in one hand.
As people poured on to the sand to fill in the gaps you could almost taste the anticipation, mingled with the uncertainty of whether last year’s record of 940 people would tumble.
But there were some who were certain.
“I’m going to be in the Guinness Book of World Records,” a young girl who had just become part of the whale’s mouth told her mum matter of factly.
Then the drones started to fly over, followed by a helicopter. After waving so hard our arms felt like they were going to fall off, and having a good chat to the friendly locals we were flanked by, the human whale slowly dispersed as people peeled off to live out the rest of their Saturday.
Just hours later, the drone footage appeared on the Port Stephens Facebook page, along with the confirmation that with more than 1000 people registered, we had all been part of a Guinness World Record.
Sometimes it is worth being certain.