Slip sliding to record high

LESLIE Davenport’s motto in life is to go big or go home. And that’s exactly what he plans to do in constructing a slip ‘n slide that he hopes will shatter the Guiness World Record when it is showcased at the last ever Pecanwood Oktoberfest Lifestyle Festival on Saturday, 20 October.

“I’ve always wanted to do something big, that’s just me! It gives me a thrill to do something different and take things to the next level. I have come up with tons of ideas to make things, but I’ve always said to my wife, Taryn, that I want to build a slide. I have a son Liam, and another child on the way, so I want to get this out of my system before then,” said Davenport.

To set things in motion, he met up with Jared Wilson from Peaconwood Oktoberfest who loved his idea to build a 650 meter long slip ‘n slide for the festival. He and Leslie have formed a partnership, One Degree Group and after the last festival this weekend, have plans to tour other parts of the country with the slip and slide..

“It’s crazy how life happens. Jared liked my idea from the get-go. The process then was to build it, which has been a bit nerve-wracking,” he said.

Davenport said he had used Google to find out what the longest slip and slide ever built was. “I found out it was 611.7 meters.”

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“I applied on a personal level to Guinness World Records. I didn’t expect a reply, but told myself that if I got a ‘yes’ I would go for it 100 per cent. Two weeks later I received an email to say my application had been accepted. It’s amazing! Now we need the people to come enjoy it in their numbers,” he said.

He said the slip ‘n slide would add an extra attraction to the lifestyle event. It will snake through trees and forests and will be incorporated into the end of the festival’s trail run events. He said he was excited to have sponsors SMG Mini Umhlanga, Eco Tanks (who will supply the water for the slide), Bob Cat and Aqua Wild Africa scuba diving on board.

The Pecanwood Oktoberfest Lifestyle Festival starts at 10am at the KZN Midlands’ Pecanwood Farm.

Tickets are available at Webtickets at R200 per person. To register for the trail run book through www.roag.co.za. Visit www.pecanwoodoktoberfest.com.

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