Bullwhip Artist Attempts Record

(Bill Gurstelle is guest blogging here on Boing Boing. He is the author of several books including Backyard Ballistics, and the recently published Absinthe and Flamethrowers. Twitter: @wmgurst)

Bullwhip artist Robert Dante brings the spirit of Indiana Jones to life on the steps of the Natural History Museum in London on Thursday, June 11.

Dressed as the whip-wielding archeologist, Dante will attempt to break his own Guinness World Record for "Most bullwhip cracks in one minute." ... Dante is billed as "the real Indiana Jones" because of his expertise with bullwhips, which feature prominently in the four Indiana Jones films.

Since 2003, Dante has set three Guinness World Records, with his most recent attempt in October 2008 resulting in 254 whip cracks in 60 seconds.

Robert is the fellow who taught me how to crack a whip. He's no young whipper-snapper but he's awfully good. Here's what 250 beats per minute sounds like. Just imagine doing that with bull whips instead of drum sticks!

Part of my intent for Absinthe and Flamethrowers was to survey a wide variety of "Golden Third dangerous activities" and provide enough information for readers to try them out and learn the art of living dangerously. But for those wanting to delve deeper into whip handling, see Robert's book: "Let's Get Cracking! the How-To Book of Bullwhip Skills"

[#1 posted by Anonymous, June 9, 2009 7:01 AM]

I'm pretty sure "the real Indiana Jones" would never be caught dead in that horrific shirt and waistcoat combo. Also, he can swing on the bull whip to avoid giant tumbling boulders and he fist fights nazis.

[#2 posted by empirechick, June 9, 2009 7:13 AM]

Bill -

Please tell me you are planning a post on Friday with the video of his attempt!

I can't imagine how that would work with a bullwhip...

[#3 posted by jaypee, June 9, 2009 7:34 AM]

Hmmm.. looks like he's trying to beat this local boy's record.

http://volumeone.org/videos/categories/2/577.html

[#4 posted by Glark, June 9, 2009 7:35 AM]

I'm just up the street. Do you know what time this is happening?

[#5 posted by Moriarty, June 9, 2009 7:41 AM]

I initially read as "Bullshit Artist Attempts Record." That would be a record I'd pay to see.

[#6 posted by quesie, June 9, 2009 7:53 AM]

I love bullwhip stories. I once shared a room, very unexpectedly, with a girl who told me that her mother was the former Miss Venezuela and married to a rich Texas oilman in 1963. When JFK was proceeding with his motorcade through Dallas, she was scheduled to be part of the post-parade entertainment-- JFK was supposed to go to this ranch, and she was going to do her SPECIAL trick where she would flick a lit cigarette out of his mouth with a bullwhip.

Of course she was a crack expert at this, but still, it was the President, so she was all dressed up and practicing and biting her lip all day. She waited. And waited. And you know what happened next.

[#7 posted by William Gurstelle, June 9, 2009 8:00 AM]

empirechick: I'll ask Robert for the video via email and if he sends it, I'll ask Mark F to post it. Probably won't be Friday though.

[#8 posted by William Gurstelle, June 9, 2009 8:02 AM]

Empire Chick:
I'll ask Robert for the video via email. Probably won't be Friday though.

[#9 posted by nanuq, June 9, 2009 9:55 AM]

"JFK was supposed to go to this ranch, and she was going to do her SPECIAL trick where she would flick a lit cigarette out of his mouth with a bullwhip"

Much as the Secret Service would have loved that, I bet it would have been the high point of the visit. Such is life.

[#10 posted by Chocolatey Shatner, June 9, 2009 10:35 AM]

I just keep thinking about this old SNL skit:
The Whip Master.

[#11 posted by Ceronomus, June 9, 2009 10:38 AM]

I'm a huge fan of Adam Winrich myself. I think a little back and forth with the records is great though...but Adam still holds six other whip related world records. ;)

[#12 posted by stevew, June 9, 2009 2:58 PM]

David Morgan of Bothell, WA made the whip in his hand I'll bet. Mr. Morgan made all of the various whips used in the Indiana Jones movies, different lengths and several with cable centers for swinging across things. They are beautifully constructed handcrafted objects and wonderful whips