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With two Guinness World Records recently set in Cat Ba during the "Symphony of the Green Island" show, Sonia Ushirogochi, a senior judge of Guinness World Records (GWR), emphasized that: "This is a completely new record in the Guinness system, so all criteria were developed and checked in the most detailed manner."
Two records were recognized: "The world's largest jetski formation launching firework" and "Most backflips on a flyboard in one minute" performed by athlete Tomasz Kubik.
The show "Symphony of the Green Island" has been recognized by Guinness World Records for setting two records.
Behind these spectacular performances and impressive records lies months of meticulous preparation, coupled with relentless practice and an extremely rigorous evaluation process according to global standards. This is unprecedented for any show ever held in Vietnam, affirming the superior class and professionalism of the "Green Island Symphony" event.
In late 2024, a bold proposal was submitted by the organizers of the "Symphony of the Green Island" show to Guinness World Records (GWR) to establish a world record. What prolonged this process wasn't the usual administrative procedures, but the unprecedented nature of the show – a factor that required GWR to develop entirely new evaluation criteria.
This is considered an unprecedented record.
Once these specific criteria were approved, the field verification process was immediately implemented. Ms. Sonia Ushirogochi, a senior referee of the GWR, personally visited Cat Ba Central Bay on May 21st to closely coordinate with the technical team. The goal was to meticulously inspect each component involved in setting the record.
For the record-breaking synchronized fireworks display by jet skis, each jet ski had to be piloted by a real person and maintain a stable formation for at least 20 seconds, firing fireworks while in motion. Any delay or stillness resulted in disqualification. "We checked each jet ski to ensure it was functioning, firing fireworks at the right time, and maintaining the correct position," Sonia revealed. "Everything was filmed from multiple angles, combined with an independent panel of witnesses to ensure objectivity."
GWR referees conduct inspection in Cat Ba.
Specifically for the record of the most flyboard flips in one minute set by Tomasz Kubik, the GWR requires that the flips be a complete 360 degrees, meaning the start and end points coincide. This rule must be strictly adhered to within 60 seconds.
"We have to ensure that all data is cross-referenced across multiple sources, video from multiple angles, independent witness panels, and technical equipment," Sonia emphasized the meticulousness. A prime example of this strictness is Tomasz's 44th somersault, which was disqualified because he performed it half a second late after the stop signal. As a result, GWR only recorded 43 completed somersaults within the allotted time.
Athlete Tomasz Kubik successfully performed 43 backflips in 60 seconds, surpassing the current world record of 41.
Every action is recorded using a multi-angle camera system, compared with the team's formation map, real-time timing, and sensors attached to the equipment. This data is then sent to an independent panel of witnesses and GWR representatives for post-verification. "We don't just observe with the naked eye. We compare every detail with pre-agreed technical data," Sonia affirmed, demonstrating a scientific and reliable process.
For Tomasz Kubik, a talented flyboard athlete and member of the H2O team, being recognized by Guinness is not only a personal honor but also a completely different feeling. "I've set world records before, but this time it feels very different. Everything has to be precise to the second. When I completed the final flip, I knew I had done something very special," Tomasz shared. He also revealed that during training, he once achieved 46 consecutive flips, opening up the possibility of breaking another record during the show season which runs until early September in Cat Ba.
Success is the result of continuous effort.
It's not just Tomasz; jetski athletes face equally grueling challenges, from technical skill to weather conditions and the pressure of synchronized operation. Jordan Marie Marples, a jetski athlete from H2O, confessed: "We barely sleep the night before the audition. Each jetski has to move according to the plan, fire the fireworks at the right time, and coordinate like a military formation. There's no room for error." Another athlete shared more about the grueling training sessions at sea, coordinating with sound and light signals in complex real-world conditions. "Not every show requires this level of precision," he said.
The show attracted visitors even during rehearsals.
The two Guinness World Records set in Cat Ba are clear evidence of the application of international standard organizational and verification procedures, meticulously prepared from technical aspects and personnel to actual operation, with accuracy controlled down to the second and every movement.
The 50,000m² performance space on the sea, a fireworks system never before seen in Vietnam, international standard sound and lighting equipment, and the coordination of hundreds of personnel from many countries all came together to create a miracle. Ms. Sonia affirmed: "We saw not just a record. We saw precision, effort, and the spirit of daring to reach the unprecedented."
For Cat Ba, this was not just a simple show, but the first time Vietnam was recognized internationally with a stage located in the middle of the ocean – where every spin, every curve, and every light streak carried the value of international standards. "A record is not an award, but a certification given based on accuracy and reliability," concluded Sonia. "And the show in Cat Ba achieved that brilliantly."
