https://assets.stuff.co.nz/video/production/1449636668077-harry%20record%20manual.mp4 A small crowd of keyed-up family members and friends were at Nelson Airport on Wednesday afternoon to see Harry Denton try to make history. He didn't disappoint.
The Nelson 16-year-old didn't just beat the world record for the longest "manual", he obliterated it.
A "manual" is a bicycle stunt in which the rider balances on his back wheel without pedalling. The record, set in 2011 by American Zachary Hutelin, was 209.2 metres. It's now 334m.
Harry Denton of Nelson set a new "manual" record of 334 metres using a taxiway at Nelson Airport.
Denton easily beat the record on his first attempt, achieving a measured 277m. His second go was even more impressive - so good, in fact, that he ran out of straight airport taxiway and finished on a curve.
READ MORE: Teenaged rider quietly confident of record
Aided by a stiff tail wind - permitted by Guinness World Records - the Nelson College student used his specially adapted jump bike to reach around 50kmh before lifting his front wheel and coasting the record distance.
Surveyor Andrew Stanger had previously measured the course and was on hand to confirm the distances Denton covered, his announcements greeted with whoops, cheers and applause by the crowd.
Among those looking on were Denton's father Steve and mother Althea Denton, who both said beforehand they believed their son would make it.
His mother said Harry had "taken his training wheels off at about three".
"He's got to have wheels under him," she said, correctly predicting that her boy would "smash" the record.
His father was less direct but said some trial runs on Akersten St at Port Nelson combined with simple mathematics had shown that if Harry reached 45-46kmh in the run-up to the point where he lifted the front wheel, "he'll get to the 210 metres".
Harry said beforehand that he was quietly confident, but his support crew and family noticed how nervous he was as he headed for the start line.
No need. Filmed for YouTube by Nelson company Sherlock Vision's drone and with GoPro action cameras fixed to his bike, he made it look easy.
Afterwards, an elated Harry said he was "real happy" with his performance and thankful for all the volunteer support and sponsorship he'd received.
He said he'd spent the whole morning "pacing around home" with how it would work out going through his mind. He had been mainly concerned that the wind would be from the wrong direction.
"But it's worked out perfectly - a really consistent strong wind pushed me through."
He was hoping that the online coverage would bring him some attention and sponsorship for a career in biking, he said.
"That's always been my dream since I was a kid."
Several months had gone into the planning and organising of the record attempt, including getting the nod from Guinness World Records to go ahead.
Use of the airport's flat, smooth and straight northern taxiway was a key element and had to be coordinated with aircraft movements. Harry said he was particularly grateful to the airport company for working with him.
Airport operations manager James Middlewick said the company had been impressed by Harry's energy and drive, and wanted to help him out.
"There was a lot of good work from the airport fire service and the air traffic controllers as well."
- Stuff.co.nz
BILL MOORE
Last updated 08:30, December 10 2015