BATHTUBBING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Humans have always had a fascination with water. You name it and somebody somewhere has tried to do it with water.  One town in Britain has tried even harder than most - and succeeded! Nestled in the valleys of the South Cambrian Mountains, in the heart of Mid Wales, the smallest town in the United Kingdom is no stranger to unusual outdoor activities involving water. Their  latest craze once again pushes out the boat, well bath actually, into  a sea of quirkiness.  Bathtubbing is the latest eccentric event from the town that brought you bog snorkelling and the man vs. horse race. For sporting activities that are just a little bit different look no further than Llanwrtyd Wells in the county of  Powys, Wales.

Bathtubbing is quite straight forward.  All that is needed is a kayak paddle and a recycled plastic bath with a fibreglass reinforcing layer.  Here's a tip though,  always remember to take  the legs off  as these tend to stick in the mud. While some may think this is a great advantage to avoid tipping over, the legs also slow down the bath to roughly a walking pace. Competitors bringing their own baths are reminded to first seal the plug hole with silicone. The idea of the event is to complete the 100 metre course as fast as possible. Success often depends on participant confidence and a total disregard for staying dry. Technique is hotly debated with some competitors choosing  to sit as if bathing while others swear by the 'power kneel". 

Actually, there are no restrictions regarding  how a competitor sits or paddles as long as they stay afloat.  The rules are simple -  the clock starts  when the bath bow crosses the start line and finishes when the stern crosses the finish line.

If a participant's bath sinks before the start line, or just over, they can try again. If they sink while on the course then they're out.  Competitors who arrive early may have some time to have a quick practice during the morning.  This is very valuable for those that have never tried this wonderfully funny event but for most people its probably better to practice at home away from the spectators who line the shore.

To stand a chance of winning a medal, or beating the existing world record, participants must use one of the approved bath tubs provided by the Organisers.  However Tony Bain believes that the event has the potential to expand into new categories.  Will a time come when participants are allowed to compete in high performance races using Teflon-coated tubs using fluid-resistant nano-technology?  Tony just laughs and admits that anything is possible in Llanwrtyd Wells if it involves water.  

The World Bathtubbing Event and Championships take place on the Abernant Boating lake which was formed by damming an ox bow bend in the Irfon river in 1903. The lake can be found just outside Llanwrtyd Wells near the railway station. It's approximately  a metre deep and rescue craft are located on the water to assist any competitor that suddenly gets that sinking feeling.  All bath tubs supplied by the organiser have had their taps removed.  One end of an  1.8 metre length of cord is fixed to the bath and a large plastic duck is attached to the other.  If a bath should sink it can be easily located and retrieved by pulling on the rope.  In most case the bath resurfaces without too much trouble.  This is due to a sealed PVC  pipe containing air that helps with buoyancy and often prevents the tub from sinking completely.  

Safety marshals constantly monitor the action and any restricted areas are carefully fenced off. This year more than 50 competitors are expected to take part.

Participants are  welcome to bring their own bath tubs.  However,  the organisers strongly advise that this is done with the written consent of the  home owner.   The organisers  state clearly, and loudly, that they cannot and will not be drawn in to any conflict or domestic dispute regarding who owns the bath tub and who is best suited to paddle it.

Fancy dress is optional.  As part of the organiser's equal opportunity policy all competitors will be welcomed whatever they're  wearing - just so long as they're wearing something.  Nude bike riding may be acceptable in Brighton but it is unacceptable to get into the bath naked in Llanwrtyd Wells.    As the organiser Tony Bain states: "This is the first time that you must wear something in the bath despite what your mum told you when you were younger". Fancy dress costumes cannot be used as a competitive advantage.  Rocket men with working jet packs are definitely not eligible for medals.

Pre event entries are encouraged and are available online.   Potential competitors can enter on the day and bath tubs are available throughout the event period.

Bathtubbing started in Llanwrtyd Wells in 2010. The winners of the inaugural competition were Daniel Wraigh timed at 1min 48.31 secs  and Rachel Inglis with 2 mins 8.81 secs.

2011 Bathtubbing World Championships Results: Mens Open Winner: Ben Williams with a time of 1min.35.32 Womens Open Winner: Lyndsay Rae with a time of 1min.56.19 Junior Mens Winner: Jason Crompton with a time of 1min.47.66 Best Fancy Dress Winner:  Jacquie Wilce as Captain Jack Sparrow

A LITTLE LOCAL LEGEND ABOUT A PRETTY FROG

Llanwrtyd Wells has long been associated with its remarkable waters. There were, and still are, numerous mineral springs in the ancient volcanic area around the town.  Still, it wasn't  until 1732 that the benefits of the sulphur springs at Dolycoed were discovered by the Rev. Theophilus Evans (1696 - 1767), Vicar of Llangammach Wells.

A local legend explains that  Rev. Evans suffered from scurvy and, whilst walking through the Dolycoed Park in 1732, he saw an exceedingly pretty and healthy looking frog in the spring. Supposing that, despite its foul smell, the water in the spring might have helped the frog, he decided to take the waters himself and his illness was soon cured. He went on to praise the water as a noble tincture of sulphur concocted in the bowels of the Earth.

Word of the reverend's recovery spread quickly and from then on the fame of such treatments increased until a group of four such wells dominated  Llanwrtyd.  These became known as the  Dolycoed, Victoria , Abernant and Henfron Wells.

The Dolycoed wells are currently undergoing restoration and there are plans to reopen them to the public. The Victoria Wells reopened in 1897 to celebrate the Diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria and the site is still active today as a log cabin holiday centre. There is very little remaining of the Henfron Wells which only opened in 1922  but sadly burnt down in the 1950's. The Abernant Hotel still exists and is located next to the lake.  It is now an outdoor centre for school groups and was once a school for Czechoslovakian children who had be exiled during WWII.  The event is one of several that seeks to draw attention to the beauty of the region and the importance of the environment.

A DATE TO REMEMBER

Bathtubbing is promoted in Llanwrtyd Wells by Tony Bain of Green Dragon Activities a company established to provide activities and entertainment for visitors to the Llanwrtyd Wells and mid Wales region.

The date for the 2012 event will be announced shortly.

The competition is run in association with Green Events and will also be featured in The World Alternative Games - the  smallest town in Britain's answer to the 2012 Olympics. More information at:

www.greendragonactivities.co.uk

Green Events and the people of Llanwrtyd Wells are committed to developing new events and the inspiration for the Bathtubbing Championships was "The Great bathtub Race" held annually in Auckland New Zealand.  Well - that and the fact the people have enjoyed playing around in baths for centuries.

Onsite parking is available but requires a short walk to the lake from the car park.  Hot food is available at the lake side.  Spectators may attend for free but competitors are required to pay a £15 entrance fee. The top three contenders are awarded medals and the organisers are investigating whether the sport can be entered for a Guinness World Record. After- event-celebrations usually take place in the local hotels.