Brazil’s Sandro Dias breaks skate records
Veteran rider speeds 103.8 km/h in 22-storey drop-in feat
Brazilian skateboarder Sandro Dias set two Guinness World Records after riding down a temporary quarter pipe on the curved façade of Porto Alegre’s 22‑storey Centro Administrativo Fernando Ferrari building. Dias, 50, reached a top speed of 103.8 km/h during the final descent, which was measured from a 70 m start height and a 60 m drop; Guinness officials were on site to certify records for the tallest drop‑in and the fastest speed on a temporary quarter pipe.
Organisers transformed the 88.91 m government tower into a mega ramp with a plywood overlay to create a smooth surface, and installed multiple safety measures including MotoGP‑style crash pillows and protective equipment for the rider. Dias completed four attempts, all successful on the first try; the final record run lasted eight seconds and produced peak forces of about 3.9 g on his body.
Preparation took months: building the ramp required roughly a month and Dias began intensive training in January 2025, including weighted‑vest drills and speed‑stability practice to guard against wobble. In training he achieved a lower drop and a top speed of 90.8 km/h before attempting the full run. Dias said the project, 13 years in the making, was driven by perseverance and a message to “never give up on your dreams.”
Sponsors and partners emphasised sustainability and legacy: around 115 tonnes of ramp materials will be repurposed, metal recycled and roughly 800 wooden boards donated to local NGOs or used as biomass. Dias, a six‑time vert world champion known as the “King of the 540,” framed the feat as a milestone for Brazilian skateboarding and youth outreach; he runs the Sandro Dias Institute, which provides free skate access to vulnerable children.
Peers and commentators framed the stunt as a step change for the sport. Tony Hawk noted the progression of height and speed in skateboarding, while fellow pro Ryan Sheckler praised Dias’s lifelong drive. Organisers released video highlights and images of the event, which turned a long‑running local urban legend about the CAFF building into a realized, record‑breaking spectacle.
