Trafalgar Wharf Hosts World Record Attempt: Daredevil’s Solent Sail in UK’s Biggest Pumpkin

You’ll never guess what Trafalgar Wharf are up to next Tuesday 22nd.  They’re attempting to set a new World Record by crossing from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight in a hollowed out giant pumpkin!

Yep, that’s right…a PUMPKIN!

They were contacted by contemporary artist Dmitri Galitzine, who asked them for their help, and how could they resist.  To be fair, the pumpkin will be fitted with a small outboard motor which will enable Dmitri to travel at about 1 or 2 knots, but the crossing point is over one of the busiest shipping channels in the world.  This is going to be the first ever attempt in history to cross the Solent in a giant vegetable.

The pumpkin will be prepared and tested here at Trafalgar Wharf, where we are based, on Sunday and Monday, with the crossing to take place on Tuesday.  We have our fingers crossed for good weather and a smooth ride for Dmitri.

And as if sailing across the Solent in a bright orange vegetable isn’t madcap enough, they will also be trying for a Guinness World Record attempt with a 100 metre paddle dash in the pumpkin (no motor this time!!) in the wet dock here.  They’ll be racing against the clock to paddle 100 meters in under three minutes.

They’ll be doing this on Wednesday 23rd at 1pm so if you’re around and fancy coming to watch then please do come down.  We’ll be serving up pumpkin soup to keep you warm.