7 May 2009
A Swashbuckling World Record Attempt
The date: Sunday 3rd May, the place: Brixham Harbour in Devon. And the event? An attempt to beat the current Wolrd Record for the biggest number of pirates gathering in one place.
The record is currently held in Germany, with 1,140 pirates in Heide park near Soltau, and the Brixham Buccaneers, who organised this latest attempt, were keen to beat it.
However, their attempts to take the title was threatened by a group in Texas making an attempt during a fun run on 2nd May. These two attempts to beat the record were made just 15 hours apart.
So those who wanted to help break the record in Devon, turned up dressed as pirates and registered as participants. To be counted for the record, every pirate had to wear a pirate hat or bandana, eye patch, sword, pirate shirt or blouse, waistcoat, pirate trousers (no jeans), skirt or dress. Pirates also had to stay within Brixham harbour for at least 15 minutes.
So come 2 o'clock, more than a thousand registered pirates made their way to separate sections marked out all the way around Brixham harbour and marina. And what a site it was: an array of pirates, from babies to grandparents, all dressed up with their pirate swords, patches, hats and bandannas.
Once in place, registered names were checked again, along with the dress code. There were some pirates discounted, showing that, sometimes, even pirates have to follow the rules.
The World Record attempt was part of a weekend-long Pirate Festival packed full of costumes, activities and entertainment. There were pirates singing sea shanties, juggling pirates, sword fighting pirates and pirates on stilts. For more information, check out the Brixham Buccanners website.
EGL Magazine were there dressed head to toe in pirate gear and brandishing swords (allbeit foam ones!), ready to help beat the World Record. We loved seeing all the great costumes people were in, including dressed up dogs and even a real life parrot!
UPDATE
So, did we do it? Does Brixham hold the new World Record for the largest number of pirates gathered together? Well, we'll have to wait another 5-6 weeks for it to be officially verified by Guiness World Records.
But the count on the day? A very respectable 1,378 pirates counted. Looks like it's going to be a brand new World Record.
If there is a picture of you here that you would like removed, please accept our apologies and email us.
Due to the USA plundering our record in September we are going for it again on May 2nd 2pm Brixham. All welcome lets show them what the UK can do!
Nigel aka Cap'n Blood and Guts
Article Written By...
Keller is EGL Magazine's editor. She has a degree in Writing which includes Journalism and she just loved being a pirate for the day.
EGL Magazine
EGL Magazine
www.egl-magazine.co.uk
