The World Record Appreciation Society

Dan Rollman, 36, has been obsessed with Guinness World Records his entire life. At Burning Man in 2004, he conceived a world-record-breaking camp, which eventually evolved into a website cofounded by Corey Henderson, 33, the Universal Record Database (urdb.org), and a linked club, the World Record Appreciation Society. Their goal is simple. “We believe everyone has a potential to be the world’s best at something,” says Rollman, who once held the title of Most Bananas Fit in a Pair of Pants While Wearing Them (60!). Approximately once a month, the WRAS hosts a live record-breaking exhibition—Rollman and Henderson act as lead officials, and the audience votes on whether the feats are worthy of verification. If so, pictures, videos and a bragging title are added to the web site. This Thursday, a dozen hopefuls will attempt to distinguish themselves during the Tenth World Record Appreciation Society party. (Comedians Sarah Schaefer, Jon Friedman and Cory Cavin of the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon blog are the opening acts.) The entry deadline has passed, but you can be there to weigh in and warm up for the January event. We caught up with six strivers and grilled them on how they prepare.

Jake Bronstein, 31; Williamsburg, Brooklyn; inventor
Record: Fastest Time to Open a Bottle of Wine Without a Bottle Opener; target time one minute 24 seconds
Training method: Bronstein engages in a two-person training session. He grabs a bottle of red, purchased on sale from Astor Wines (399 Lafayette St at 4th St, 212-674-7500), tears off the foil with his teeth, places the bottle into a shoe and then bangs it against a solid surface. Then, his fiance drinks the wine for him.
Tips and tricks: Use a shoe with what Bronstein calls a solid “man heel.” He recommends Bruno Magli brown loafers.
Be the champion: Bronstein has set 13 records, most of which were broken by someone else. But an URDB favorite is his Longest Whisper Chain, in which 59 people whispered “Will you marry me, Kristen?” so he could propose to his girlfriend.
Newbie advice: “You’ve got to go for it. There are people who talk, and people who do.”

Alex Young, 24; East Village, music producer
Record: Longest Chain of Suck and Blow; target of 30 people
Training method: You probably haven’t played suck and blow since middle school (if you were lucky), so we’ll provide a refresher. Playing involves passing a card from your lips to the lips of another by inhaling to keep the card pressed against your mouth, then blowing it onto another set of waiting, willing chops. Often this results in an accidentally-on-purpose make-out session. Young’s boyfriend of six years has been more than willing to help her practice. When he isn’t around, she gears up by whistling Christmas carols and drinking from straws.
Tips and tricks: Pick up a new deck of cards. “They’re going on people’s mouths, so I don’t use my old poker playing cards,” says Young. Then lose yourself in the experience. It’s titillating, invigorating, and exciting, according to Young. Also, a little wet.
Be the champion: As this is her sixth record-breaking attempt (her first was the Longest Flute Trill), she’s trying to set the Most URDB Records Held record. A message to her opponent: “I’ll get you, Jake Bronstein!”
Newbie advice: “The big folly that people commit when they come up with these records is that they make them too intricate. I think the truly pure records that stand the test of time are simple and easy to see and understand. That’s my aim when going for world records.”

Todd Lamb, 33; Park Slope, Brooklyn; writer/director
Record: Fastest Vacuuming of One Pound of Sugar; target time three minutes
Training method: Lamb spent his childhood watching his mother compulsively vacuum floors, rugs and even bathrooms. “It inspired me to be a great vacuumer,” says Lamb. (He hasn’t told his mom about the potential record—there’s a good chance she’d break it before him if she knew.)
Tips and tricks: Lamb chose sugar over another baking ingredient such as, say, flour. The latter can leave a residue, making it harder to get a surface clean. In terms of tools, like mother like son: Lamb chose a blue-and-white Dustbuster. Technique is easily acquired. “Hit the ON button and then point it at the sugar,” suggests Lamb. “Make sure you don’t have anything else on your mind, like divorce or future dry-cleaning pick-ups.”
Be the champion: “I’m getting old, so I think I should break this record while I can still do it,” says Lamb, who worries that, as an elderly man, bending over to vacuum will hurt his back and the sound will be hard on the ears. But he’s committed to the goal: “The thrill of cleaning up the sugar is worth it.”
Newbie advice: “Think of something that you’re really good at and turn it into a world record,” says Lamb. “There’s a fair chance no one will be able to top you.”

Andrea Rosen, 23; Williamsburg, Brooklyn; business development for Rocketboom and TONY contributor
Record: Fastest Time to Open Every Window of a Chocolate Advent Calendar in Order and Eat the Contents; target time three minutes
Training method: Rosen is going the antitraining route. “I’ll abstain from chocolate until I get to the actual day of the event,” she says. “That’s probably the only way I can eat that much at once.”
Tips and tricks: Purchasing a good calendar is key. Rosen says she plans on picking one up at the Bedford Cheese Shop (229 Bedford Ave at North 4th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-599-7588). Ignore any Catholic guilt over eating 25 pieces of chocolate at once.
Be the champion: The last (and first) record Rosen set, Most Wayne’s World Catchphrases Recited in One Minute, was beaten by a teenager six months after she claimed it. She’s ready this time. “Just try and beat this one, Andy Hutchins,” she warns.
Newbie advice: “Find something you already know you’re good at or really love. You are more likely to succeed if it’s something you have fun with.”

Steve Shirley, 24, East Village, marketing and development for Original Single Recording
Record: Fastest Time to Drink a Bottle of Tabasco with a Straw; target time five seconds
Training method: Shirley has been slowly incorporating Tabasco into his meals for the past ten years. “Once, I got half the bottle down, but I wasn’t feeling so good.” When he isn’t inhaling hot sauce, Shirley steams up his palate with a spicy bahn mi ($3.75) from Bahn Mi Saigon (138 Mott St between Grand and Hester Sts, 212-941-1541) or a fiery chicken vindaloo ($17) at Brick Lane Curry (306 6th St at Second Ave, 212-979-2900).
Tips and tricks: “Your body builds a tolerance to it,” says Shirley, who recommends slowly increasing Tabasco intake over time.
Be the champion: Take note, hot sauce upstarts: Shirley is well aware his record can easily be broken. “I’m sure someone else will shatter it quickly. But it’ll be good to be on top...for one night.”
Newbie advice: “Do something that matches a trait in your personality. Don’t get too crazy.”

BE THE BEST! Tenth World Record Appreciation Society party: Piano’s, 158 Ludlow St at Stanton St (212-505-3733, pianosnyc.com). Thu 10 at 7pm; $7, proceeds go to New York Cares (nycares.org).

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