Teams will create flying machines and launch into Bristol’s harbor in a wacky Birdman contest. Prizes available!
The Birdman contest started in Bognor Regis in the 1970s and has now spread to places like Ilfracombe.
Bristol’s event is on Sunday, June 15 near Baltic Wharf, specifically between the Cottage Inn and Bristol Marina. Bristol City Council approved the event, which Grassroot Communities organizes with help from All Aboard Watersports.
They challenge groups to enter, and businesses and colleges can design flyers. The goal is to glide across the water. Big crowds might come to watch.
Ben Carpenter runs Grassroot Communities; he once joined a Birdman event in New Zealand and wanted to have one in Bristol. The water was once too dirty, but it has improved near Baltic Wharf. Now, people can do cold-water swimming there, making the Birdman event possible.
Grassroot Communities aims to empower young adults. They created a GAP program before, which included mentoring and leadership skills.
Ben says this is a fun team activity where teams make a device to launch. Prizes and trophies are available, and he thinks people will love it.
Ben had this idea for years, and officials initially rejected it. Now he’s happy it is happening, but only twelve team spots are open initially.
Event profits help youth programs, benefiting underserved areas of Bristol. Ben says the goal is to have fun.
Teams of two to ten can enter and create a flying contraption. Prizes are available in many categories, as he wants the event to be great.