Circus perfomer (and Guinness World Record holder) Nik Wallenda will attempt the amazing feat to walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope this weekend.
The funambulist will attempt to walk across a 2-inch steel cable approximately 547 meters (1800 feet) in length.
In Nik’s honor, we present our top 10 tightrope records, including a couple with Nik:
10. First tightrope walk over Niagara Falls
Jean Francois Gravelet, alias Charles Blondin (1824 -1897), of France, made the earliest crossing of the Niagara Falls on a 76mm 3in rope 335m 1,100ft long and 47.75m 160ft above the Falls on 30 June 1859.
Blondin thereafter made each crossing of the Falls in a different manner. He crossed blindfolded; trundling a wheelbarrow; on stilts and sitting down halfway to make an omelette.
10. Longest tightrope crossing by bicycle
The longest tightrope crossing by bicycle is 71.63 m (235 ft) and was achieved by Nik Wallenda (USA) in Newark, New Jersey, USA, on 15 October 2008.
9. Fastest 100 m tightrope walk
The fastest tightrope walk over 100 m is 44.63 seconds and was achieved by Aisikaier Wubulikasimu (China) at the outdoor Taimu Mountain Scenic Spot, Fuding City, Fujian province, China, on 27 October 2009.
8. First double back somersault and forward somersault on a low wire tightrope
Con Colleano (Australia) was the first person to break two low wire records: a double back somersault and a forward somersault at Johannesburg, South Africa in 1923.
6. Fastest motorcycle wheelie on a tightrope
The record for the fastest motorcycle wheelie on a tightrope is 53 km/h by Johann Traber (Germany) achieved in Flensburg, on the Tummelum Festival on 13 August 2005.
5. Most skips consecutively on a tightrope
Juan Pedro Carrillo (USA) achieved the most consecutive turns skipping with a rope on a high-wire with 1,323 at the Big Apple Circus Big Top, Bayside Expo Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 26 April 2004.
4. Highest 8-person tightrope pyramid
The Flying Wallendas (USA) performed an eight person pyramid suspended at a height of 7.62 m. (25 ft) at Sarasota, Florida, USA on 20 February 2001 for Guinness World Records: Primetime.
3. Highest tightrope crossed on a motorcycle
The highest tightrope crossed on a motorcycle is 130 m (426 ft 6.12 in) in height and 666.10 m (2185 ft 4.32 in) in length and was achieved by Mustafa Danger (Morocco) in Benidorm, Spain on 16 October 2010.
2. Most 360° spins on a tightrope in two minutes
The most 360° spins on a tightrope in 2 minutes are 41 and was achieved by Maimaitiaili Abula (China) on the set of Zheng Da Zong Yi – Guinness World Records Special in Beijing, China, on 20 September 2007.
1. Tightrope walking (unsupported) – greatest distance
The greatest distance for an unsupported tightrope walk is 130 metres (429 feet) and was achieved by Bello Nock (USA) in approximately 15 minutes across a wire attached to poles onboard Royal Caribbean International’s ‘Majesty of the Seas’ cruise ship, in Coco Bay, Bahamas, USA, on 10 November 2010.
