Skip to content

Call for flying contest entries for tin bath races

Ashlea TraceyBBC News, Isle of Man
News imageJonathan Burton A man in a brightly coloured parrot costume appears to float mid-air. He's jumped from the harbourside and is about to land in the sea. The sky is blue and a grey building can be seen in the background.Jonathan Burton
The flight contest, which sees people jump into the harbour, is one of the highlights of the championship

The organisers of the World Tin Bath Championships have called for more people to enter the "man powered flight attempt" contest at this year's rescheduled event.

The 54th edition of races was postponed in June after the Castletown Ale Drinkers Society was unable to secure the cover needed to meet the event's health and safety requirements.

The event, which is famous for its solo classes and snake races in Castletown Harbour, will now take place on 13 September.

Boris Kitching from the society said the flying contest was "all down to choreography, comedy and the way you splash", and the winner would be awarded a £500 donation to charity.

Entrants to the flying contest did not need to build a machine, and could also jump into the harbour "to fly" in a group, he said.

News imageJonathan Burton A man jumps into the sea riding a bike, dressed in a bin bag with a silver and gold helmet with horns. He is mid-flight and his back wheel splashes into the water. A busy crowd watch on from the harbourside. An orange RNLI boat can also be seen in the background.Jonathan Burton
The winner of the so-called flying contest is awarded £500 to donate to charity

While organisers had offered a refund to competitors and teams who could not make the revised date, the society confirmed most participants had transferred their entries.

Those taking part in the male, female and veteran solo competitions will paddle the 350-yard (400m) course in a wide variety of homemade crafts.

The winner is either the first to cross the finish line or the one who covers the furthest distance before sinking.

Meanwhile, the snake race challenge sees teams of six work together in a chain to navigate the course in inflatable rings

News imageWorld Tin Bath Championship A man in a tin bath paddles in Castletown Harbour, there are other competitors in the race behind him in the water, with one man swimming after his bath has sunk. The harbour walls are lined with hundreds of spectators.World Tin Bath Championship
The World Tin Bath Championships began in 1971

The event has raised more than £200,000 for local charities and individuals since it began.

Mr Kitching said preparations were "going smoothly" and the team had medical cover and "contingencies" in place to ensure the event goes ahead.

He said the contests were all "good old wholesome family fun".

"Kids love it, adults love it and they love to watch people sinking," he said.

Encouraging people to put the new date in their diaries, the team looked forward to seeing the harbourside "packed out" with teams and spectators supporting those taking part, he added.

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.

More on this story
Related internet links