To learn more about Ken McCreedy, visit KenMcCreedy.com and follow him on
Facebook and
Instagram.
Thank you Doug, for your excellent submission!
To learn more about Doug, visit his website at DougTheGreat.com and follow him on Facebook, and Instagram.
ICYMI, read Graeme Reed's guest post about Doug's 2023 Guinness World Record breaking stilt walk, for which Doug was honoured by the The City of Brantford which officially opened a new Guinness World Record Stilt Display at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre on Monday December 2nd, 2024.
From December 2nd media release by the City of Brantford:
New Stilt Walking Guinness World Record display is unveiled at the Wayne
Gretzky Sports Centre
BRANTFORD, ON – Representatives from the City of Brantford and
famous stilt walker Doug “The Great” Hunt and representatives from his 2023
Stilt Walking Support Team unveiled a new Stilt Walking Guinness World Record
display this morning at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre at 254 North Park
Street.
Visitors are invited to visit the new display that
showcases the successful attempt in setting a new Guinness World Record for
Tallest Stilts ever mastered. Doug took 14 unassisted steps on stilts
measuring 55 feet in height at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre’s 10th
Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
The stilts
now on display, are made of carbon fibre and weigh 140 pounds combined. On the
event day, two cranes were positioned side by side and extended approximately
60 feet into the air, connected by two safety cables. A third crane, equipped
with an aerial lift was placed between them to serve as a safety platform and
provide support for assisting personnel. Six people helped to move the stilts
in place so that Doug could step into the boots from the platform before
beginning his attempt.
The new display also features the Brantford
Bulldogs jersey that Doug wore during his attempt, the Guinness World Record
certificate he received for Tallest Stilts ever mastered in 2023, and his
successful attempt for Tallest and Heaviest Stilts ever mastered in 2002 at
the Brantford Tourism Centre that was previously located next to Lynden Park
Mall.
“Our team had two goals in mind when we planned to attempt to break the
World Record. One was to break the Guinness World Record, which we did,
but more importantly, to help those who are unable to walk for themselves.
Our main goal was to raise money for Brantford’s Participation Support
Services who help provide support to adults with physical disabilities.
I’m pleased to share that we raised $28,000 for Participation Support
Services.” - Doug “The Great” Hunt
“The City
of Brantford is proud to commemorate Doug’s accomplishment at the Wayne
Gretzky Sports Centre. We are grateful for the dedication and passion
displayed by Doug and the Stilt Walking Team, whose efforts have helped
raise funds to support those in need. This achievement truly demonstrates
the power of community when we come together with a shared purpose.” - City of Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis
A reminder that the number of Canadian World Record holding magicians is eighteen!
Doug The Great: Heaviest Stilts Mastered. [Guinness World Record - 2002], Tallest Stilts Mastered [Guinness World Record - 2023].
Scott Hammell: Highest
Suspension Straitjacket Escape. [Guinness World Record]
Lucas Wilson: Fastest
Suspension Straitjacket Escape. [Guinness World Record - 2011]
Carisa Hendrix: Longest
duration fire torch teething. [Guinness World Record - 2012]
Michael Francis: Most one-handed coin rolls in a minute. [Guinness World Record -
2013], and The farthest distance to "walk the dog" with a yo-yo. [Guinness
World Record - 2023]
Mark Correia: Longest Amount
of Time Wearing a Straitjacket. [World Record - 2014]
The Sentimentalists: (Chris Mysterion and Steffi Kay) Most items transferred from one
mentalist to another. [World Record - 2017]
Gordon Precious: Oldest heli-skier [World Record - 2019]
Aaron Matthews
and Christoper Campbell: First Danger and Thrill Show performed within the
Metaverse. [Online World Record - 2021]
Anastasia Synn:
The most technological implants in the body (female) is 52 and was
achieved by Anastasia Synn [Guinness World Record - 2023]
Ian Stewart: Greatest distance travelled whilst juggling three chainsaws [Guinness World Record - 2017], Farthest distance travelled while juggling a chainsaw and two balls [Guinness World Record - 2018], Most consecutive chainsaw juggling catches [Guinness World Record - 2019],
Most consecutive juggling catches (chainsaw and two balls) [Guinness World Record - 2020],
Most consecutive juggling catches (chainsaw and 2 balls) on a balance board [Guinness World Record - 2021], Most consecutive juggling catches (3 mauls) [Guinness World Record - 2021], Most jellyfish fire extinguishes in one minute [Guinness World Record - 2021], Most magic tricks performed in one minute [Guinness World Record - 2024], Most magic tricks performed blindfolded in one minute [Guinness World Record - 2024]
We hope you enjoyed reading about many of the talented magicians across the
country.
A huge shout out to everyone who trusted us enough to
submit names and supporting text last month, even though you didn't know exactly how it
was going to be used.
The following is a guest post from
Graeme Reed. This article first appeared in the December 2023 issue of
VANISH Magic Magazine
issue #113, pages 40-43. Reprinted with permission.
--
Doug Hunt, October 21, 2023 Photo credit: Donna
Thompson
Walking Tall for Brantford
On October 21, 2023, Doug Hunt aka “Doug the Great”, made history when he
broke the Guinness World Record (GWR) for Mastering the Tallest Stilts,
walking 14 steps at 55 feet above the ground. In front of fellow entertainers
from around the world and his community of Brantford, Ontario, Canada, Doug
successfully reclaimed the record that he first earned over 20 years
ago.
In the city of Brantford, “The Centre of the Universe,” as
Walter Gretzky would say, besides walking on stilts and entertaining the masses,
Doug is best known for his love and support of the community. Working as head of
fundraising at Participation Support Services Brantford for over 40 years, Doug
has always found creative ways to build awareness and raise money while
empowering everyone around him.
The attempt occurred at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre’s (WGSC) 10th
anniversary celebrations. Inside the sports complex is a museum dedicated to
Brantford’s greatest athletes. To see Walter and Wayne Gretzky's historical
hockey memorabilia, you first walk under The World's Tallest Stilts. Walter
Gretzky was famous in Brantford for signing autographs with his branded blue
Sharpie – blue never fades. To pay homage, Doug, with the help of local
sponsors, made up custom blue markers for sponsors and anyone who donated to
sign his record-breaking stilts.
Among those in attendance was Nicole Lee; this is how she experienced the
truly amazing day:
–
A victorious Doug Hunt! Photo credit: Gary Foster
Daughter Megan, grandson Seth, Doug Hunt, and David McKee (Brantford Town Crier)
A large-scale stunt like this is only possible with community
support. There is a list longer than 55 feet of people who donated their time,
money, and passion to the project, not just to break a record but to raise
awareness and donations for
Participation Support Services Brantford
whose mandate it is to “support adults with physical disabilities and complex
needs to live as independently as possible.” Everything from the one-of-a-kind
stilts, aerial lift, two cranes, and so much more was all donated to spotlight
a truly amazing cause.
While Doug reclaimed the record at 14 steps on October 21 at the
WGSC, the official submission is 16 steps at 55 feet high, achieved on October
17th, 2023, at Brantwood Farms in front of a small public audience.
Congratulations to Doug Hunt of Brantford, Ontario for reclaiming his Guinness
World Record of Mastering the Tallest Stilts and being truly amazing.
The silo.
Training with Coach Tom
A winning team!
--
Congratulations Doug, on this amazing accomplishment!
WORLD RECORD HEIGHTS: In this Canadian Conjuror's Interview, we are chatting with Doug 'the Great' Hunt, a man who has been raising the bar for decades!
On October 21st, Doug will attempt to re-take the World Record, and in this interview, we discuss the challenges, benefits and strategies for planning a stunt of this scale (and height.)
Here are a few topics we'll cover: - Media stunts and how they can skyrocket your presence in your community. - The art of turning passion into powerful promotion, drawing from Doug's upcoming world-record attempt. - Lessons and gems from decades of experience offer actionable advice for emerging and seasoned magicians. - The undeniable importance of community in the magic world and the evolving role of magic clubs in our digital age.
From the importance of community and magic clubs in our ever-digital world to the art of crafting unforgettable media stunts, this 25-minute interview is packed with insights and stories that every magician, both aspiring and seasoned, will find invaluable.
(Doug) Hunt is set to make another Guinness World Record attempt for stilt walking during the 10th anniversary of the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre rebuild on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
In anticipation for the event, Hunt and his camp are preparing for a fundraising event called the “Great Event” to be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Participation Support Services Brantford, Brant and Norfolk.
“The September event will be like a pre-party leading up the October attempt,” said Tammy Hunt, Doug’s niece. “The event will be to help raise money in support of Participation Support Services, which is his ‘why’ for this fundraiser. The celebration will almost be like a big community hug for him.”
Backed by a strong team of supporters, the multi-talented Brantford entertainer is going after the Guinness World Record for the tallest stilts ever mastered. Wearing stilts that will measure close to 55 feet in height, Hunt will attempt to take 10 steps in front of the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre on Oct. 21.
The world-record event will be part of the Gretzky Centre’s 10th anniversary celebration.
“I’ll be on the stilts and taking the steps but this is a team effort,” Hunt, also known as Doug The Great, said. “Tom (Rollins) is back, Dave Levac is handling the logistics and my niece Tammy (Hunt), Joshua (Wall), Robb (Nagy) are also helping out and doing some fundraising.
“We have a terrific team working on this and I’m really grateful for the support.”
Arron Jeavons, Trevor Cherewka, Tom Hunt, Gary Foster and Graeme Reed are also on the “On The Record Team.”
July 1 2023 come and see Doug the Great juggle and walk on stilts.
On September 14, 2002, Doug set a new Guinness world record in Brantford, for tallest stilt-walker. He took 29 independent steps on stilts measuring 50 feet 9 inches tall and weighing a combined weight of 137 pounds.
On May 15, 2008, Doug led 625 people (mostly students) on stilts at North Park Collegiate for the Guinness world record for most people on stilts.
