Credit: somewhereintheworldtoday. CC by 2.0
This bizarre Bognor Regis International Birdman Competition of human-powered flying machines proves an entertaining spectacle every year in the lovely seaside town of Bognor Regis, where a motley collection of wannabe flyers fling themselves off the pier to see how far they can get.
The event always attracts a diverse range of people , many of them building proper home-made human-powered aircraft, gliders and hang gliders to put them to the test on the day.
The 2010 event enjoyed blue skies and some great flying spectacles, with crowds all along the promenade enjoying the unique entertainment. In 2011, the event was disrupted by severe weather conditions but the flyers were all eventually able to take part packing in the usual range of competitions and family entertainment.
The origins of the Birdman event
Although the Bognor Birdman competition is now an international phenomenon, with Birdman events held as far afield as Australia, China and Japan, the first ever rally took place in Selsey, just down the coast from Bognor Regis, in 1971.
The idea for the event came from local resident George Abel who wanted to find an effective way of raising money for the local RAFA Club. His unique idea captured the public imagination and ultimately became a victim of its own success – as bigger crowds swamped the town each year, creating major congestion. As a result, the Birdmen did not fly in 1976 or 1977, but returned in 1978 to the nearby town of Bognor Regis.
Competitors
Credit: somewhereintheworldtoday. CC by 2.0
Many of the more light-hearted competitors only enter the competition for fun and to help raise money for charity, and with flimsy costumes they have no chance of flying anywhere. They do add plenty of entertainment value, however, with many dressed up in amusing and outlandish costumes both flying-related and completely random.
With decent prize money and reputation at stake, however, others are in it to win. They take the proceedings far more seriously and design complex flying machines which they hope will carry them to victory. There is only a two hour launch window for the event when the tide is high enough, so the competition is run on a tight schedule. To make sure everything is fair, nowadays distances are measured using advanced technology with three electronic theodolites using triangulation to accurately pinpoint landing positions and determine the winners – with a chance of winning several hundred pounds each in various categories.
With such a varied bunch of participants, spectators can always expect an amusing and exciting display – and alongside the main event there’s a whole host of live performances ranging from dance and martial arts to live bands at the bandstand and along the seafront.
This article was written whilst researching unusual events in the UK for Guest Travellers a site for travel writers to share their experiences.
Practicalities
Bognor Regis is located on the south coast of England in West Sussex, about 56 miles (89 km) from London, 24 miles (39 km) west of Brighton, and 6 miles (10 km) south-east of the city of Chichester.
You can get to Bognor Regis by bus, train or car, with a free car park provided for the event at West Park, Aldwick for those driving there. RAC traffic signs direct people to the car park and event.
Accommodation options for those staying overnight in Bognor Regis include hotels, guest houses, caravan sites, or nearby holiday centres such as Butlins.