Ferndale family sets world float record

By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle

Saturday was a beautiful day to be on the river, and for the 64 family members and friends of Sherrie Bruch of Ferndale, it was a record breaking day as the group set the Guinness World Record for most people in a floating line.

They gathered at Bruch's home and headed for the public access on the Swan River where they put their inner tubes in. The requirements state that only one person is allowed per flotation device, participants must be joined together, but not tied together and the line must be intact for at least 30 seconds.

With a Highway Patrolman monitoring them with his stop watch the group was able to beat the record as they held hands in a snaking chain down the river. The record was previously helped by the employees at ITG Israel in Tel Aviv, Israel. Their group of 42 set the record on December 23, 2007.

The family has done the float for the last four years. It originated as a way to celebrate the numerous July birthdays in the family. There are up to five generations who participate in the float each year. Participants come from as far away as Alaska to join in the fun.

"The rest of the year we get so busy that we don't always get to see everyone, and the float gives us a chance to spend time together," Bruch said.

The number of floaters has been growing since their first year on the river. Last year one of the participants said they wondered if it was the largest number of family members to float a river together. Bruch set out to find whether if it was by contacting Guinness about six months ago. There is not a category for largest family float, but there is for most people in a float line. So they sent Bruch the forms and regulations.

Though they did break the record, many of the participants were just happy to get to spend the time with their family and friends.

"It's great to get all together," said Rosetta Carpenter, who is the oldest member of the floating group at 88 years-old.