Hundreds of skaters gather in Winchester for world record attempt

Hundreds of skaters have attempted to set a new Guinness World Record.

Geoff Else, a professional skateboarder and coach from Winchester, gathered 360 pupils from the city's Kings' School in an attempt to conduct the largest skateboard lesson.

The current record, set in 2012 in California, is 311 people in one lesson - but Mr Else believes that record has now been broken.

He will now wait for confirmation from Guinness World Record judges.

Eighteen years ago, Mr Else and his brother formed Team Rubicon, an organisation that teaches the sport across the UK.

He said his desire to do something slightly different inspired him to take on the world record.

"It will be quite cool for Winchester itself to have something a bit different to be known for," he added.

The Guinness World Record rules stipulate that each skater must have their own board and helmet and they must do at least six different skills in a 30-minute lesson.

Alastair Birch, head of PE at Kings' School, said he "jumped at the chance" when Mr Else got in contact about the idea.

"The whole school community is really excited about this opportunity," Mr Birch said.

He said it would be a huge achievement for them to be part of the world record attempt.

On the popularity of the sport, he added: "There's a good range of skate parks in and around the local area and there clearly is a bit of a skateboard culture in Winchester."

Mr Birch did admit that some young people who took part in the record attempt had no skateboarding experience.

He believes events like this will help inspire children to take up the sport ahead of its second Olympic appearance in Paris this summer.

He said: "I've no doubt after this the children who are new to skateboarding will look upon that quite keenly at Paris 2024."

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.