ST. PETER, Minn. -- To boldy go where no one else has gone before. That is exactly what KARE 11's Eric Perkins and Reporter David Watkins will be attempting to do in a new KARE 11 segment called "Record Wreckers."
They will kick off the series on Monday, May 3, with an attempt to break the world record for the longest, continuous tennis match. The record is currently 36 hours, 36 minutes and 36 seconds. The match will take place at the Swanson Tennis Center on the Gustavus Adolphus College campus in St. Peter. The entire match will be streamed live on http://www.kare11.com/sports/. And, you can get live updates on KARE 11 News at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.
LIVE VIDEO: Perk & Watkins try to break World Record
To prepare for their grand venture, Perk and David recently spent some time at Gustavus Adolphus College with legendary tennis coach Steve Wilkinson, current head coach Tommy Valentini, and sports information director Tim Kennedy.
"I think it is pretty crazy if you want to know that truth," said Wilkinson, the winningest coach in the history of college tennis.
The coaches taught Perk and David exactly how to hit a tennis ball. Their old swings were going to cause muscle damage over the 36 hours.
The folks at Fairview Sports and Orthopedic Care called the duo "crazy," but said they love their spirit. Sports Physician Jamie Peters explained the dangers and risks of pushing the body to the limits, as Perk and David will do on May 3rd and 4th.
"You're probably going to have some fatigue early on, and when they fatigue you start losing control. And that's when you could start to develop some muscle pain, muscle cramps," explained Peters.
He gave them a mini-physical, and provided them each with a tennis elbow strap. Peters said tennis elbow is no myth. Diva Doug from The Firm in Minneapolis put the team through fitness training as well.
Max Muscle said the two are going to feel exhausted, energized, drained, sleepy, elated, desperate, and out of place during the event. And, their bodies will be confused by the constant activity and no rest. So, they provided Eric and David with a good mix of multi-vitamins, protein, healthy carbs, and amino-acids to survive the record.
Follow their attempt right here on kare11.com, starting Monday morning at 9:30 a.m.
Do you have an idea for a World Record KARE 11 should attempt to break? Email us: record@kare11.com.