Outline Viral video supposedly shows young men participating in a "new sport" in which they apparently run on water with the aid of special water proof footwear.
Brief Analysis
Many commentators have suggested that the video is a viral ad for footwear company Hi-Tec. The company's products are featured prominently throughout the video. While the company has publicly denied any direct involvement in the video, this denial may well be part of the ongoing campaign strategy for the viral ad. And, even if Hi-Tec is not responsible for the video as it claims, the stunts depicted in the footage are clearly impossible for humans under normal conditions and clever trickery has obviously been used in their creation.
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Last updated: 21st May 2010
First published: 21st May 2010
Article written by Brett M. Christensen About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer
Example
Subject: New type of sport - Walking on water
Can you check this video? Is it true?
Detailed Analysis
A "viral" video is circulating that supposedly depicts a new sport - dubbed "Liquid Mountaineering " - in which participants apparently run across the top of water with the aid of special waterproof shoes. The video has been posted to a great many blogs, forums and social networking websites where it has generated considerable debate. Many commentators have suggested that the video is in fact a clever viral advertisement for footwear outlet, Hi-Tec. Certainly, Hi-Tec products are featured prominently throughout the video.
Such viral video advertising has become quite the trend in recent years. The companies doing the advertising have often initially remained close-lipped about their involvement in such campaigns, before finally "owning up" after their video has "gone viral", thereby gaining a great deal of valuable exposure for the products they are pushing.
So far however, Hi-Tec has refused to acknowledge any involvement with the video. In fact, it has publicly denied any involvement in the "new sport" other than an indirect "sponsorship" in which the company supplied shoes and other items to some of the sport's participants. On its UK website, Hi-Tec notes:
Dear All
We have recently been made aware of a viral film which is sweeping the internet worldwide, under the name Liquid Mountaineering
After some investigation we have found out that Hi-Tec Poland was contacted by these guys and has supplied a few pairs of shoes and some apparel as “sponsorship” for their crazy new sport.
Whilst we believe Hi-Tec ion-masked footwear is the perfect choice when it comes to solid ground. We do not recommend anyone to try walking on a liquid surface for him or herself.
For further information on this incredible new sport you can visit their blog page
Kind Regards,
Simon Bonham
Group Head of Marketing
According to an article about the video on the ClickZ website, a spokesperson for the US branch of Hi-Tec, has also denied any connection. And the same denial quoted above has also been published on the company's US website. However, these denials have been perceived as unconvincing by many commentators. They suggest that the denial is all part of the ongoing campaign. Time will reveal the truth, perhaps.
Regardless of whether or not Hi-Tec is involved, it hardly seems debatable that trickery is afoot with regard to this video. Obviously, things are not what they seem. People cannot walk (or run) on water - even with the most waterproof of shoes.
More videos and information about the "sport" is available for viewing on the Liquid Mountaineering Blog.
