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Breaking a Guinness World Record in Cape Town: Fastest Time to Set Up and Topple 10 Books
- Johnny Cruz Buckingham
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Guinness World Records are often associated with extraordinary feats, intense preparation, or global recognition. But sometimes, they come from the most unexpected places, like a rainy afternoon in a South African township. That’s exactly how I earned the title for the Fastest Time to Set Up and Topple 10 Books, officially recorded at 6.78 seconds.
This quirky yet challenging record tests precision and speed. The participant must stack 10 books upright and then topple them in a domino-style chain. Before our attempt, the time to beat stood at 6.94 seconds. It’s the kind of record that sounds simple, until you're trying to shave fractions of a second off your time with cameras running and kids cheering!
The Story Behind the Record: Rain, Creativity & Community
In Cape Town, South Africa, I was volunteering in the township of Dunoon, running sports and educational programs for local youth. One afternoon, heavy rain forced us indoors, cutting off our planned activities. Rather than let the day fizzle out, we got creative.
With help from Saranne, Director of SAVE Volunteering, we decided to bring some world-record energy to the room. Armed with stacks of books and plenty of determination, we turned that rainy day into a lively challenge.
11 Attempts, 1 Record
We made several attempts, each one getting a little closer. The original record, 6.94 seconds, looked intimidating on paper, but the energy in the room pushed us forward.
On my 11th attempt, everything aligned. The books stayed upright. The topple was smooth. The stopwatch flashed 6.78 seconds. We broke the world record!
Extending the Impact: Donating Books to Dunoon Public Library
The record attempt wasn’t just for fun, it opened the door to something meaningful.
After breaking the record, we donated books to the Dunoon Public Library to support at-risk youth in the community. The library plays an important role in providing a safe learning environment, access to literacy resources, and opportunities for young people who face daily challenges in Cape Town’s townships.
By donating books, we wanted to:
Encourage reading and lifelong learning
Increase access to educational materials
Support youth who may not have resources at home
Leave something behind that would benefit the community long after the stopwatch stopped
What started as a spontaneous rainy-day competition became an opportunity to invest in the future of Dunoon’s young readers.
Why This Record Mattered
While the achievement itself was fun, the purpose behind it mattered more. This wasn’t just about setting a new Guinness World Record, it was about:
Bringing joy and laughter to young people
Encouraging creativity, perseverance, and teamwork
Supporting local educational resources
Highlighting the important work happening through Save Volunteering
Records don’t always need stadiums or global broadcasts. Sometimes, all you need is creativity, books, and heart.
Watch the Record in Action:
Final Thoughts
Setting a Guinness World Record was unexpected, improvised, and incredibly rewarding. Most importantly, it reminded me that impact doesn’t always come from grand plans, sometimes it comes from embracing the moment and finding ways to give back.
If you’re ever stuck indoors on a rainy day, grab some books. You never know what world record you might break, or what community you might support along the way.
Want to be part of the next record-breaking challenge?
Learn more or donate at www.worldrecordbreakersclub.org
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