Ever think humans can be just a little too competitive sometimes? I'm not talking about in the athletic field. That's to be expected. I'm talking about the more bizarre things human nature drives us to devote their lives to being the best at...
List number three is proof that we'll turn just about anything into a contest.
List #3:
Random competitions
What exactly are these things? Poodles. But not just any kind of poodles- these are living, breathing
art canvas poodles!
Ren Netherland is the only professional photographer allowed to capture the magic that happens at the "creative grooming" competitions that happen annually throughout the U.S. The story linked above from the Daily Mail includes more of Netherland's painted poodle photos and more information on the competitions.
Grand prize for an exceptionally decorated pooch is usually around $1000. Maybe I should adopt some poodles and start practicing... 2. Oh, Finlandia
Finland features wife-carrying contests, cell phone and
rubber boot throwing contests, world sauna championships,
swamp soccer, anthill sitting contests... You name it, the
Finnish probably already have a competition based on it.
descriptions of Finland's many unique contests.
The Sumo Suit Athletics World Championships
happened in England for the first time in 2008. The
tradition is still going strong with participants from
around the world donning sumo suits every August,
ready to run and jump around for a medal.
The rules? They are posted on the site linked
above, but it's pretty basic stuff... remember your suit
must be foam-filled, not inflated! Also, women are allowed to
wear child-sized suits to make the competition "equal."
Williams, the brilliant mind behind this event, can be found on the website. On the
website homepage, Williams says this whole gig just "seemed like fun" (and admits that
he was at a pub...) when he came up with the idea.
Um...what?!
"If you are looking for unique, wacky, and
physically challenging, this even if for you!" the website
says of this interesting contest in Wales...
All you have to do is race your bicycle across a six-foot
deep peat bog and back with a snorkel on your face. Don't
worry, the bikes used have lead-filled frames and water-filled
tires to "ensure grip." Oh, and you'll have to wear a lead weight belt
so you don't drift away. Sounds like tons of fun, right?
And this isn't the only unique event you can find in Wales! Check out
Green Events, Ltd for a full list of events and festivals to participate in. I
like the idea of the Real Ale Ramble...
5. Lookin' for somethin' closer to home?
How about the Summer Redneck Games in East
Dublin, Georgia? The event happens each July and
admission is only $5.
This year's contests include Redneck (toilet seat)
horseshoes, watermelon seed spittin', the armpit
serenade (picture from the website photo gallery),
mudpit belly floppin' and bobbin' for piggy feet.
These are only a few of the outrageous contests I found...but they
were some of my favorites.Would you compete in any of these?
Normally it is very bad to pedal a bike in water. It is bad for the seals. It ruins the pedalling action. I guess the rules take into account modifications must be made to the bike? Uncle Paul. Funkyboss66@hotmail.com
Other than a lead-weighted frame and water-filled tires, the description and rules didn't mention any kind of modifications. I can't imagine riding in a nasty, boggy pond would prompt great pedaling action no matter what you do to the bike.