Aruba's new Polesitting
Champion did it!
He broke Tito Laclé's record of 84 hours: Roel Oude Avenhuis, a 2-meter tall, 20-year old Dutch guy. Sitting on a wooden pole without sleep for 85 hours on end, Roel's impressive mental strength pulled him through. At 11 pm, three and a half days after first stepping onto the pole, drums were rolling at Café the Plaza in the Renaissance Marketplace. Those present all stood, clapped their hands and counted down the seconds. On the hour, the cork of a bottle of champagne flew through the air, sparklers were lit, a polonaise was danced and the new 2006 champion and recordholder Roel Oude Avenhuis held his trophy high. Congratulations, hugs, cheers and songs filled the air.
The past four days of polesitting were filled with activities that kept Roel awake. A fantastic mechanical bull rodeo event, live music, a musical chairs competition that had everyone in stitches, a Cher impersonator, models, clowns, a kids' day with street tennis and a movie, fashion shows and lots of people who came to say hi, made the time go a bit faster. Benefitting charity of the Polesitting Championships, the Clown Doctors of Aruba, went all-out to keep everyone entertained.
After polesitting colleagues Diana, Thijs, Kimberley, Michiel, Bores and Tito had given up, the last hours of the championship were hard for Roel. He was the only one left. Sheer willpower is what got Roel through.
Photos show the 2006 champion and Polesitting record holder Roel Oude Avenhuis and an overview of the activities courtesy of the Clown Doctors.
