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

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 31^st, 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:

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

2^nd Coat and trousers worth £150.

3^rd 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

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.

Become A Trustee Donate Here

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Customer Reviews

"It was absolutely amazing, my toddler loved seeing Santa and going to the elf workshop to pick a present! We saw reindeers, went on the train and a couple rides and went to the farm! A fantastic day out and a great experience for seeing Santa for the first time! Staff were great!"

Bethany

"Had not been to Wickstead park for years . Thought I would take my grandson and despite the weather and it being late in the season we had a lovely time. Great value for money and will return next year"

Perry

"We had a great fun day out. Old fashioned English Park. Good variety of rides. Clean loos. Friendly staff. We loved the train ride. Also the water rides were fantastic. Best to buy a wrist band that let's you have unlimited rides"

Rose

"We camped here this week, and all had a blast!!! It was so well-priced. We were one of the first in the park. The camping was quiet, and the kids absolutely loved all the places to walk!!! Thank you!"

Charlotte

"My parents took me to Wicksteed Park as a child over 50 years ago. Today I took my grandchildren and it was quite an experience. The train around the park is still there but now there are lots of much bigger rides for older kids and adults including a log flume. The old water chute I went on as a kid is still there and is loved by young and old. We found all the staff friendly and helpful at Wicksteed which is really important, as at other theme parks its what made for a poor experience. Maybe Wicksteed's British origins makes it a more relaxed experience than US style parks. You can almost imagine post Edwardian Britons in 1920's enjoying days out in this beautiful park with all its green spaces. My older grandkids enjoyed the rides and short queues whilst younger ones liked the soft play area. We are already planning our next visit to Wicksteed Park."

Del

"Great day out for extended family particularly good for 6 to 10 year olds and the older kids can take the little ones on the rides. The parks is really beautiful and there are hardly any queues. Lots of fun rides and wrist bands good value if you do lots of rides like my kids did. All 14 of us had a great day and we had a take out in the park before leaving on a beautiful evening. Fun times."

Julial

"We were lucky enough to go in a lovely sunny day. There were 11 of us, 5 adults and 6 children, 2 of whom have disabilities. The staff were so helpful in every way, sorting our wristbands out, giving advice, looking after us on rides, etc. Some of the rides I was used to were shut; the rocking tugboat, drop slide and mini landrovers, but a lovely surprise awaited in the form of new rides; the garden wheel and mechanical horses. We went boating on the lake, rode the water flume, went on loads of other rides for which there was barely a queue. The actual park itself is amazing, so much room to play for the children, we had a lovely picnic under the trees. Toilets were really clean, plenty of food outlets, although not as many as on previous visits. It baffles me that more people don't go there, as there really is something for everyone. Even if you didn't want to pay for the rides, there is still a excellent playing park. Take my advice and just head out there for the day..."

Janice

"Kids loved it, even through it was busy the queues weren’t too bad and as there is so much green space we easily found a spot in the shade for our picnic. Lovely parkland and they even dragged me on to the Dinosaur Valley ride! The band/ ticket options are great for a mixed group who might not all want to go on every ride."

Amy

"We camped at Wickstead park this weekend for our annual camping trip with friends and kids (age range 15 - 13). Booking was very easy and great communication with reception. The site is very clean, as are the facilities and there is lots for the kids to do. Its a very safe site and I would highly recommend it. We will definitely be back!"

Jackie

"Having one of our sons, and his nine year old to stay gave us a reason to visit Wicksteed Park yesterday. The rides were great fun and suitable for a range of ages; they all seemed well cared for and the operators paid attention to safety. We bought a wristband for our grandson, and individual tickets for the rest of us so that we could mix and match who went on with him. The weather was rather dull, which may have contributed to the generally short waits to get on the rides. The playgrounds are excellent and there is lots of room for running around. We took a picnic and easily found somewhere to sit and eat. Car parking was easy, and given there is no entrance charge, I thought it reasonable. I use a mobility scooter and had no problems getting around. We used to take our sons when they were small and we had little money: by just going in the playgrounds (no charge); playing ball games on the grass and taking a picnic, it was a cheap day out. Enjoy."