Wheelchair Athlete's Back Flip Lands Him in the World Record Book, Aaron Fotheringham Makes Guinness Book of World Records

Aaron Fotheringham, 16, went into the record books as a pioneer in wheelchair sports Saturday. Guinness World Records recorded the Northwest Las Vegas resident, in front of a crowd of more than 300 at Doc Romeo Park, as the first to complete a back flip in a wheelchair.

(PRWEB) November 5, 2008 -- He first completed the trick in 2006, and has dozens of videos of his back flips, but had yet to make it official. Fotheringham has spina bifida and has been in a wheelchair since he was 3, came up short in his quest to set a record for most consecutive back flips in 45 seconds. His unofficial record is six back flips in a row. He wanted to get two back flips within 60 seconds but was too worn out to get consecutive flips. "I'm a little bit disappointed I didn't get the consecutive flips, but I guess I'm taking it for granted that I got in the book," Fotheringham said.

Completing the trick requires perfect judgment of speed and concentration, he said. Approaching the ramp too fast or too slow could result in a nasty spill on the pavement.

Wearing a helmet, Aaron Fotheringham hit his head on a couple of falls on Oct. 25. Encouragement from spectators helped him get back up. "I'm really grateful for all the support," he said. "They may not have been my biggest crowd, but it was the most important one."

Fotheringham would love the opportunity to attempt to break his own record LIVE on television. When ramps are built specially for Aaron he has a much higher success rate.

Aaron Fotheringham has been a sponsored athlete through Colours Wheelchair since he was 12 years old. The Colours Wheelchair company makes the most innovative manual wheelchairs and wheelchair accessory items on the market. Colours is constantly searching for ways to improve the lifestyle of the disabled and surrounding communities. We realize the importance of mobility, but respect the need for groovy, great-stylin' manual wheelchairs. This is more than a mere wheelchair for mobility - this is a lifestyle!

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