Take flight with the Worthing International Birdman competition

When: 12th & 13th July 2014

Where: Worthing seafront, Worthing, West Sussex

£: Free for spectators

What is it?

The Worthing International Birdman is a human-powered flight competition, held each summer in the picturesque seaside town of Worthing on England’s South Coast.  This year’s Birdman will take place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July.

Many flyers take part in the event to raise money for charities, creating crazy costumes and machines.  Others take the contest more seriously by designing complex machines with the aim of winning the distance prize.  A substantial prize of £10,000 is offered for the furthest flight, should a Birdman achieve over a 100 metre distance.

There are three competition categories  in the Worthing International Birdman.  The first is the Leonardo Da Vinci Class for self designed and built craft.  Then there is the Condor Class in which teams and individuals fly modified gliders.  Then finally there is the Kingfisher Class in which the fun flyers take part.  Some would say this is the most entertaining part of the competition, with many competitors using little more than balloons, capes and umbrellas to help them ‘fly’ off the edge of the pier.

The serious and fun flying events begin at 12pm on Saturday and 1.45pm on Sunday.  There will be a full programme of events and entertainment as well as the Birdman competition.  The entertainment will include Jet-Ski displays by the Xtreme Action display team, live music from local bands and singers and a free family film screening.

The best place to view the event will be on the beach between the Pier and the Lido. You are advised not to sit below the taped water line or under the Pier and Lido as these areas will be submerged during the event.  There is a viewing space for wheelchairs on the Lido, speak to a steward on arrival for access to this area.

More info: For the full programme of events visit www.worthingbirdman.co.uk and www.facebook.com/worthingbirdman