October 20, 2022

Tenth annual world puddle jumping championships set to make a record-breaking splash

Our 10th annual World Puddle Jumping Championships are set to make a splash across the globe – with the number of entries expected to set a new record.

Competitors taking part in the event, launched today (Thursday, October 20) and held during the October half term holidays, are being asked to submit videos of themselves jumping in puddles they’ve made or found themselves.

They are also invited to use any naturally-formed puddles they find while walking around the park.

This year’s event is being sponsored by Polarn O. Pyret (PO.P kidswear for short!) (www.polarnopyret.co.uk), who will be providing amazing waterproof outerwear clothing prizes to the top three puddle jumpers.

The last two years saw record-breaking numbers of entries but this year organisers are expecting even more people to take part now that all Covid restrictions have been lifted.

Last year’s winner, Grace Crouch, from Northampton, who was three when she became world champion, has set the standards high for this year’s entrants.

Puddle jumpers who visit Wicksteed Park during half term can also enjoy the Sway Rider, Crazy Golf, Woolloomooloo Aviary, the Carousel, Meerkat Manor and all the other attractions in its Adventure Zone, as well as the famous Train, the Carousel Café and the free playground during the day.

For selected dates, Wicksteed Park is also keeping its gates open for Twilight Zone, where the Thrill Zone will be open for the thrilling experience of rides in the dark.

Those taking part in the championships can submit their video entries by posting them onto the Wicksteed Park Facebook page or by emailing them to hello@wicksteedpark.org before Monday October 31st, with winners announced soon afterwards.

Judges will be giving scores based on the height of the jump, enthusiasm, distance of splash and stickability (the amount of mud which clings to each competitor).

Wicksteed Park Head of Sales and Marketing Megan Wright said: “It is amazing that an event which started out as a way to encourage children and families to get out in the fresh air during the half-term holidays has now been running for ten years and gets bigger and better each year.

“Up until a few years ago we just created puddles in the park for competitors to use and it was incredibly popular, but once we opened the competition up to people around the world, and asked them to find their own puddles to jump in, the number of entries has grown massively and topped 1,000 in each of the last two years.

“We have literally had entries from everywhere in the world you could think off, Australia, Italy, you name it.”

Mats Nilsson from PO.P KIDSWEAR said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the World Puddle Jumping Championships this year. Our clothes are made for kids who love to play outdoors, no matter the weather, and jumping in muddy puddles is no exception! We can’t wait to see all the amazing entries!”

PO.P kidswear will be providing the following prizes for this year’s event:

1st Top-to-toe waterproof outfit worth £250.

2nd Coat and trousers worth £150.

3rd Coat up to the value of £95.

Prize winners will be announced on the Wicksteed Park Facebook page during the first week of November.

PO.P kidswear was established in 1976 in Sweden and provides clothing for all children that’s fun to wear, comfortable and stands up to play in any weather. They are wet weather experts with over 45 years’ experience designing highly functional outerwear for babies and children. Best of all, all of their garments are made to last at least three children, guaranteeing long lasting quality for many seasons to come.

Wicksteed Park was founded by Charles Wicksteed, the inventor of the modern-day slide and swing, to encourage families to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle and get out into the fresh air.

LEARN A LITTLE SWEDISH

POLARN O. PYRET is pronounced POLE ARN OH PEER ET and means “Buddy and the Little One”.

Wicksteed Charitable Trust

The Wicksteed Charitable Trust receives no regular external funding to help maintain the park as a truly unique, freely accessible public space. You can help to preserve the park for future generations by making donations. All money raised is used to help maintain the park and its grounds.

Wicksteed Charity Trust

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