Rising with the Sun: Thomas van Tonder’s journey to a Guinness World Record

In just under 10 days, Red Bull athlete Thomas van Tonder will be making his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest rope climb (90m) at the Orlando Towers in Soweto, Johannesburg.

The project has been in the planning since the first half of this year. Van Tonder was not able to compete or train for any obstacle course world champs because of the lockdown, so he was in need of a new goal that would keep him motivated.

“I figured I could look at some disciplines forming part of obstacle racing and try blow it up on a massive scale,” he said.

“Rope climbing kept popping up and so we started looking at venues. Orlando Towers ticked all the boxes.”

There are various records for rope climbing, but nothing of this nature.

Ross Edgley, a British adventurer and ultra-marathon sea swimmer, is a huge inspiration for van Tonder, as well as fellow obstacle course racing athleteLeon Kofoed, who climbed a 50m rope suspended below a hot air balloon.

Van Tonder rose up the ranks in obstacle course racing in South Africa, taking the title of champion in the local Warrior National Series, as well as competing and placing top three at various events in the UK and Denmark in 2019.

Rising with the Sun will document van Tonder’s attempt at the Guinness World Record, along with all his training and preparation. For more insight and to follow his journey head to RedBull.com

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