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Kenny Chaplin took on the biggest challenge of his life.
The Regina man had the goal of planting 24,000 trees in 24 hours, to reclaim the Guinness World Record that previously belonged to him. Chaplin broke the record for most trees planted in a day in 2001 and held the title for 20 years.
On Tuesday, he tried to reclaim it in a field near the village of Buena Vista, Sask., about 40 kilometres northwest of Regina. He was able to plant 17,000 trees in 18 hours before his body gave out on him.
“I wanted a challenge more than anything, challenge myself. And this opportunity just kind of grew out of this desire to test myself,” Chaplin said.
Kenny Chaplin tried to reclaim the world record for most trees planted in 24 hours. He originally broke the record in 2001 and held it for 20 years. (Submitted by Kenny Chaplin)
He said the attempt was only possible thanks to the help of the broader community.
The planting effort started on Tuesday at 8:34 a.m. CST.
He had 30,000 trees donated by forest seedling company PRT.
The company also contacted David Tonken, an arborist and president of Let’s Plant Trees, an Indigenous reforestation project. Tonken said he was immediately inspired by Chaplin.
“You hear Kenny’s story and what he wants to achieve and the reasons for it, and you’re not going to say no. And nobody did,” Tonken said.
David Tonken is the president of Let’s Plant Trees. He’s from North Saanich, B.C. (Hannah Scott/CBC)
Tonken was amazed by the community support.
“We needed a generator, one showed up. We needed a back brace for Kenny, and they put it online and within 20 minutes somebody had it here.”
People from Buena Vista and surrounding areas were also arriving throughout the day — some to witness and some to offer their help.
At one point, Chaplin’s doctor went to the site to check on a cortisone shot he had applied to Chaplin’s hand.
“He was so engrossed in what was going on that he put himself in front of the box of trees and started to hand the trees to me,” Chaplin said.
WATCH | Almost 17,000 trees planted in world record attempt near Buena Vista, Sask.:
Almost 17,000 trees planted in world record attempt near Buena Vista, Sask.
Kenny Chaplin broke the Guiness record in 2001 by planting 15,170 trees near Prince Albert, Sask. The title is now held by another Canadian and Chaplin was trying to plant 24,000 in 24 hours to put his name back on top.
Shannon Dekteroff, a massage therapist and Chaplin’s friend, was there with him for the whole challenge. Every hour she would assist with back massage and give him a painkiller.
She said that while seeing her friend not fulfill his original goal was emotional, his accomplishment was still impressive.
“I’m not gonna feel disappointed, what he did was incredible. He beat his own record easily,” Dekteroff said.
Kenny Chaplin, with the help of his twin brother Curt Chaplin, planted a total of 17,000 Jack pine seedlings in Buena Vista, Sask. (Hannah Scott/CBC)
Chaplin started the day with a pace of 800 trees per hour. He eventually reached up to 1,000 seedlings per hour.
At 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, after 18 hours of planting, Chaplin’s body gave up.
“My body, my mind and my spirit just said enough is enough. And I had to walk away,” he said.
Chaplin is still physically recovering. He told CBC that despite the outcome, he feels really happy with the result.
“I can be proud of what we did out there. We did it right,” Chaplin said, emphasizing the support he and his team received.
Chaplin and his brother, another key part of the operation, will be planting the remaining seedlings in the coming days.
PRT donated a total of 30,000 Jack pine seedlings to be planted in Buena Vista, Sask. (Hannah Scott/CBC)
Chaplin said the ultimate goal was always to create a forest that people can be a part of.
“Can’t wait to walk through it with my daughter, you know, she’s 14,” he said. “She may be pushing me in a wheelchair through it, but I can’t wait to see it.”