A North Yorkshire man is gearing up for an extraordinary challenge, hoping to smash two skateboarding world records in a single day, all while raising crucial funds and awareness for a mental health charity.
Ryan Swain, 34, from Malton, is setting his sights on breaking the Guinness World Records for the furthest distance traveled on a skateboard in both 12 hours and 24 hours. The current benchmarks stand at 124 miles (200km) for the 12-hour record and an impressive 261.8 miles (422km) for the 24-hour feat.
Mr. Swain, who openly lives with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is particularly driven to use this challenge to inspire and encourage others with the condition. “Years ago, people used to look at skateboarding and didn’t take it very seriously. People would think it was something that only kids did, and it’s the same with ADHD,” he told the PA news agency. “People think ADHD is hyperactive and something that only children have, but it’s really not that – adult ADHD is a thing.”
Receiving support from Team GB for his arduous world record attempts, Mr. Swain reconnected with skateboarding during the COVID-19 pandemic when his mental health significantly declined. “I started skateboarding in 2002 and have loved it ever since,” he shared, highlighting the sport’s positive impact on his well-being.
His endeavor aims to not only push the boundaries of human endurance on a skateboard but also to destigmatize mental health conditions and demonstrate that ADHD can be a powerful force when channeled positively. The specific mental health charity Mr. Swain is supporting is Mind. The date and location of this record attempt are expected to be announced soon.
