Daredevil explains why he was "freezing" while doing record number of backflips on fire
Daredevil Ryan Luney (UK) lit himself on fire before seeing how many backflips he could do.
The 28-year-old managed seven, setting the record for most standing backwards somersaults in 30 seconds (full body burn).
With a stunt coordinator on hand, Ryan got into position, wearing a grey sweatshirt and pants and a flame-retardant protective hood.
“I was freezing,” he surprisingly explained while looking back on the moment.
“I’m wearing a couple of layers underneath that are soaked in a gel and put in a fridge for 24 hours to help protect me from the fire - it was extremely cold.”
When he was ready, the stunt coordinator leaned in with a blow torch to set his clothing on fire.
He began flipping, going as many times as he could, racing the clock and fighting the flames engulfing his body.
He said: “Essentially at this moment, all I’m concentrating on is moving, getting the backflip done, straight on to the next one.
“I’m on fire and I need to move quickly. The oxygen is burning up around me so if I don’t keep moving I could find it very difficult to breathe and find the heat overwhelming.”
Parts of Ryan’s sweatsuit were burning off and falling to the ground.
“The back of my sweats are actually falling apart,” he said.
Ryan hit the ground as helpers ran over to spray him with a fire extinguisher and use a towel to put out the flames on his back.
He said that “luckily” he didn’t have any major injuries.
After taking on the challenge, Ryan, who already had multiple records, said he feels like a whole new world of possibilities has been opened up to him.
He said: “There are so many records for full-body burns that I didn’t even think I could have a chance at even touching, so now that I’ve done this record, I’ve kind of got the bug again and I’m thinking I could do more.
“I’m not that bothered if someone breaks it. I’d actually really like someone to go and try it because it was really difficult for me.
“The whole point of records is that they’re going to be broken and it shows we’re ready to push the boundaries.
It’s incredible what humans can achieve.
Ryan also holds the following records:
- Most fire breathing full corkscrew flips in one minute – 11
- Most fire breathing sideflips in one minute – 12
- Lowest standing back somersault – 26.5 cm
- Most fire breathing backflips in one minute – 17
- Longest reverse vault (parkour) – 4.06 m (14 ft 3.8 in)