Galway urged to 'Rock the Boat'

An attempt to set a new world record for the largest number of people to perform ‘Rock the Boat’ will take place on Salthill Prom on Saturday 28 April.

The event is being organised by charity Ability West, which is celebrating 50 years of providing services and supports to children and adults with an intellectual disability.

Cathal Ryan, Fundraising Manager with Ability West, is calling on everyone who is in the city on Saturday 28 April to join the staff and service users of Ability West in the world record-breaking attempt. There is no registration fee but participants are encouraged to give a donation on the day.

According to the Guinness Book of Records rules, participants must perform the dance routine simultaneously at a single venue for five minutes to the music of the 1974 Hues Corporation hit ‘Rock the Boat’.

“The previous record stands at 1,428 and to break that we need at least 1,429 participants,” says Cathal. “The prom is a fantastic location and we are hoping to have a long line of people stretching along the prom facing in one direction as they perform the dance.”

Breda Crehan Roche, CEO of Ability West, hopes that the people of Galway join in the fun and support the world record attempt.

“I’d like to extend an invitation to everybody who is in Galway for the weekend to join us on the promenade as we attempt to break the world record. As we celebrate 50 years of providing services and supports to children and adults with an intellectual disability, we are hoping that this event will help to increase awareness of Ability West and intellectual disability.”

For more information, contact Cathal Ryan on 087-6820265 or log on to www.abilitywest.ie.