Oceanside CA— When it comes to setting Guinness World Records (GWR), ultra-endurance athlete and fitness professional, George Hood of Carlsbad, CA holds 7 official world records. He has done so in a variety of ways both unofficially, officially, and always in support of a charitable cause.

On Saturday, May 30, 2015, the 57 year old former Marine officer and now retired DEA agent will attempt to reclaim the GWR for the longest static abdominal plank at the Junior Seau Amphitheatre in Oceanside, CA. The event will start at approximately 9AM. The Emcee for the event is national fitness pro Staci Boyer www.Motiv8nu.com who will provide commentary throughout the event regarding the physiology of the plank as George goes through his ordeal. The event will also include a dedication ceremony and other special moments. For those who’ve never witnessed an official world record being set, this is the opportunity of a lifetime!
The event is raising money to benefit the Semper Fi Fund for injured Marines https://semperfifund.org/updates/the-peoples-plank/ This event is being called “The Peoples Plank” and the public is invited to witness this historic and extraordinary fitness event. Donations on behalf of this event and to the Semper Fi fund can be made at www.gofundme.com/georgehood and on site at the venue this Saturday.
Hood has done two “long training planks” where the public was invited to witness Hood’s training first hand and see how he connects mind, body and soul to physically execute a plank of such extreme duration. On April 12th, Hood held the position for 4 hours and 33 minutes and unofficially broke the existing GWR of 4 hours, 26 minutes set by a Chinese national in China in September 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKsuRm8xNk4 Hood’s last official world record for the plank was in Beijing, China in June, 2014 at 4 hours, 1 minute http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014/06/25/tighten-those-abs-ex-u-s-marine-teaches-beijing-how-to-plank/
Hood is assisted by a dedicated crew of supporters who choreograph his journey and help him minimize the discomfort associated with such an extreme fitness endeavor. Mary Shanley, a retired NCIS agent and longtime friend of Hood is serving as the Event Operations Manager. Shanley said, “I’ve known George for over 25 years and his passion and commitment to helping others, often at his own expense both physically and financially, is compelling and simply overwhelming”.
Hood has trained consistently at various locations in North County, and is often seen in the Amphitheatre in Oceanside as well as in Carlsbad and Oceanside Harbor. Hood has trained for nearly 9 months for this record attempt on Saturday and he has logged nearly 1000 hours of plank time. Hood trains 4-6 hours a day, which includes 30 hours of plank time a week. His training includes a variety of exercises to facilitate muscular endurance necessary to sustain planks of such long duration. Hood trains consistently with 20 and 40 lb weights on his back to build up his endurance and strength.
If successful in setting a new world record this weekend, Hood is expected to be invited back to China as part of China’s Second International World Cup Plank Challenge. Last year, Hood represented the United States at the China event which resulted in his setting a new world record and inspiring many in the fitness industry around the world. Hood is the only man in the world to have set the plank record 3 times! Hood says, “I’m a believer in using such world record setting platforms to raise awareness and raise money for worthwhile causes and I’m on a mission to bring the world record for the plank back to the United States for all the right reasons”.
The former Marine and Drug Enforcement Administration agent also served in Afghanistan as a law enforcement professional after retiring from DEA. Hood first attained Guinness World Record status in 1986, when he skipped rope for more than 13 hours. From 2007-2010, Hood set 3 additional world records for the spin cycling marathon, including a high of 222 hours, 22 minutes and 22 seconds in 2010. So far, Hood’s Guinness World Record attempts have raised more than $125,000 for charities and organizations. Hood is a personal trainer and group exercise instructor. He also owns and operates Oceanside Paddleboard at the harbor in Oceanside, CA. With 2 of his 3 sons serving as Marine officers, Hood is passionate about helping our Marines and the Semper Fi Fund! Please come out, witness history being made and help support George and the Semper Fi Fund.