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When Warkworth drummer Paul Bondsfield takes his seat behind his kit in Auckland next month there will be more at stake than just his attempt to claim a Guinness world drumming record.
Bondsfield is hoping to raise much needed funds for the Cancer Society, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Breast Cancer Foundation.
For him, the cause is personal.
“I’m doing it for cancer charities after my wife, Tris, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and I lost my father and uncle to prostate cancer some years ago,” Bondsfield says.
“Cancer impacts so many of us, with 71 New Zealanders diagnosed with cancer every day – one of those 71 on a day not long ago was my wife, Tris.
“Every donation I receive will help fund cancer research, prevention and support services for people with cancer and their whānau when they need it most.”
Bondsfield is making his world record attempt at the Sylvia Park Shopping Centre, starting on April 8.
He will need to drum for 135 hours to beat the current record of 134 hours set by a Canadian in 2015.
His goal is to drum for 144 hours (six days) and, under the Guinness rules, he can only take one five minute break every hour.
Bondsfield says he is feeling confident but realistic about the challenge.
“It’s certainly not a foregone conclusion and any number of things could throw me off. It’s amazing how a small ache or pain that you would normally shrug off can take on a much bigger significance at three in the morning.”
In preparation for the record attempt, Bondsfield did a 24-hour test run at the Warkworth Band Room on February 24 and 25.
He says the test provided some valuable lessons.
“I started off with a hiss and a roar, entertaining the crowd, but I need to realise it’s a marathon, not a sprint and play accordingly.
“There were technical issues as well around how the set-list is delivered and played, and getting the live feed right.”
Nutrition before and during the event is an important part of his preparation.
“I ate three bananas, a couple of protein bars and some chicken pasta during the 24 hours, plus Mike, from Warkworth Butchers, kindly cooked me a lovely bacon sarnie for breakfast. The first stint of six hours was a good idea, as it banked me some rest time. I took 15 minutes after that so still had 15 minutes in the tank for later. After that, I played in two to four hour segments. I managed two 15-minute power naps during the night and that sustained me pretty well.”
Bondsfield says a big lesson from the test was how important his crew are.
“Without them I couldn’t have completed this short event and without them and more I won’t break the record.”
In particular, he thanked Rob Nute and wife Wendy, musicians Clyde, Tanja, Mike, Eli and Chris, Flynn Mehlhopt, Dianne, Claire, Craig and Connor, Matt Gerrand and, especially, his wife Tris.
Giving a little will mean a lot
Here’s how to find out more about the record breaking drumming attempt and the causes Paul is supporting: https://pbondsfield.wixsite.com/the-longest-beat and
https://www.facebook.com/TheLongestBeat
