November 18, 2022

Luna, 3, makes a splash after becoming world puddle jumping champion

A three-year-old girl from Northampton has been crowned World Puddle Jumping Champion after splattering herself from head to toe in mud.

Luna Rudd, from Kingsthorpe Village, wowed the judges of Wicksteed Park’s 10th annual World Puddle Jumping Championships with her enthusiasm, the distance of her splash – and the amount of mud which ended up all over her.

The new champion’s mum Zoe said Luna was absolutely delighted to win – and is excited to choose her first place prize of a top-to-toe waterproof outfit worth £250 from event sponsors PO.P KIDSWEAR.

Zoe said: “This is the first year she has entered but Luna just loves puddles. We went on a four-mile walk around a nature reserve close to our home and when she saw a big puddle she just had to jump in it.

She ended up absolutely plastered in mud and water but she had a great time.

Luna finished ahead of Oliver Hart, 5, from Barton Seagrave, who finished second, and third-placed Emilie Chambers, 4, from Ely, Cambridgeshire.

Judges also gave a special achievement award to Nicole Quiram, 18, who submitted a video of herself doing forward rolls in puddles and streams near her home in Richmond, Virginia, USA.

Competitors were asked to submit videos of themselves jumping in puddles they’d made or found themselves. They were also invited to use any naturally-formed puddles they found while walking around Wicksteed Park, Kettering.

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

Judges gave 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: “We have been astounded by the number of superb entries we have received this year and clearly people have been having great fun, which is what the competition is all about.

“Luna’s entry really caught the judges’ attention and if she carries on jumping in puddles like that she will definitely put her prize to good use!”

Mats Nilsson from PO.P KIDSWEAR said: “We have loved watching all of the entries to this year’s World Puddle Jumping Championships. It has been amazing to see everyone outdoors having so much fun, getting covered head to toe in mud! This is exactly what PO.P outerwear is made for. Congratulations to Luna on becoming the new World Puddle Jumping Champion!”

PO.P kidswear provided 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.
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.

The park is preparing for its legendary Firework night event this Saturday (November 5), which will include an amazing firework display as well as a variety of family fun activities and entertainment such as speciality fairground rides including the Sway Rider and Carousel rides.

LEARN A LITTLE SWEDISH

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

Wicksteed Charitable Trust

Wicksteed Park is cared for by the Wicksteed Charitable Trust which maintains 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. Donations can be made by visiting our reception. Car parking charges made whilst visiting the site also supports Wicksteed Charitable Trust in maintaining and preserving Wicksteed Park.

Wicksteed Charity Trust

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