World Tin Bath Championships held in Castletown
One of the Isle of Man’s strangest sporting competitions, the World Tin Bath Championships, will celebrate its 42nd anniversary on Saturday.
Hundreds of people are expected to gather around Castletown harbour to watch brave competitors race their customised baths over a 400m course.
The winner is the first to reach the finish line or the one who covers the furthest distance without sinking.
Competitors use decorated tin baths like small paddle boats.
This year, about 80 competitors from the Isle of Man, the UK, Europe and even the United States will vie for the title.
‘Finnish wife carrying’
Roy Cottage is a Self Catering Manx holiday cottage, situated on the sea front, in Castletown, the ancient capital of the Isle of Man. Bringing news to the visitor of the Isle of Man.
Last year’s men’s champion Nick Caine is not defending his title, however ladies winner Erica Cowen is going for her 15th title.
The event, which attracts huge crowds, has been running since 1971 and recently featured in the Daily Telegraph’s top ten weirdest festivals to attend in July, ranking alongside Cornwall’s Nudefest and Finland’s Wife Carrying World Championships.
Organiser David Collister said: “It was great to receive that accolade. I think we were pipped by wife carrying and hot dog eating but we were delighted to be included.
“People just like to have fun and the spectators come because they like to see people get wet and they like to see people sink.
“It’s two hours of family fun and slapstick entertainment involving household tin baths that your granny will have used in front of the fire.”
The roads around the Middle Harbour will be closed between 13:30 and 17:30 BST, with the racing starting at 14:30.