The bizarre sport of bathtubbing, enjoyed by TV stars Rory McGrath and Will Mellor, comes to\u00a0 Conwy next week, with the World Championships.<\/p>\n
The All Wales Boat Show is following in the footsteps of \u00a0Christchurch in New Zealand in hosting\u00a0 a round of the quirky\u00a0 contest.<\/p>\n
Entrants are expected from around the world for the competition \u2013 described as kayaking in a bath. Three days of practice runs will\u00a0 allow entrants get their sea-legs, with the contest itself on Saturday July 27.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s one of the many attractions at the All Wales Boat Show, which runs from\u00a0 July 24-28. Split between Conwy and Deganwy Quay marinas, the event will see visitors ferried across the River Conwy from one harbour side to the other. There will be a range of craft on show, plus the chance to try out some of the equipment on sale, along with a variety of events and entertainment.<\/p>\n
Davina Carey-Evans, managing director of management and marketing specialists Sbarc , which is organising the Show, said: “The bathtubbing promises to be extremely wacky and a lot of fun.<\/p>\n
“It goes to show that we will have the whole range of boats at the show, from yachts fit for millionaires to bathtubs and everything else in between.”<\/p>\n
Water sports enthusiast and instructor Tony Bain, who runs Green Dragon Activities in Llanwrtyd Wells in Mid Wales, came up with the madcap idea to complement the off-beat events held regularly in the Cambrian Mountains town,\u00a0 such as the annual bog-snorkelling and man versus horse contests.<\/p>\n
The New Zealander\u2019s company also offers Akwakats \u2013 kayaks powered by bikes on rivers and canals –\u00a0 along with mud wrestling and paddling in wheelie bins. In the last series of BBC\u2019s\u00a0 Great British Menu, renowned Welsh\u00a0 chef Mary Ann Gilchrist\u00a0was seen taking part before trying out some of her recipes on fellow paddlers.<\/p>\n
Last year\u2019s Championships also included a round at Cardiff, when Rory McGrath and Will Mellor took part for their Channel Five\u00a0 show Champions Of The World.<\/p>\n
Tony said: \u201cTo be honest, neither of them stayed in the bathtubs very long, although most people manage OK: it\u2019s basically kayaking in a bathtub.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe use an ordinary bathtub \u2013 with the plug in, of course. We just add an extra ring around the edge to make it easier to get it back out of the water, after it sinks.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a series of time trials, the fastest around the course is the winner. Well, everyone\u2019s a winner really \u2013 for once in your life you are meant, and even allowed, to keep the water on the outside of the bath.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea came to me when I met up with friends in the pub, who were trying to think of a new off-beat activity. In this town, daft is normal! It\u2019s really taken off though, and people love doing it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are expecting a lot of entrants from all over the world, and they will have three days to practise before the contest itself. I believe\u00a0 the setting in North Wales, and the show combined with the Conwy River festival,\u00a0 will attract a lot of people to give it a try.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe World Bathtubbing championships and the All Wales Boat Show will give people a chance to see that watersports are for everybody, no matter whether you can afford a bathtub or a millionaire\u2019s yacht.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tony is also encouraging entrants to raise funds for their favourite charity through sponsorship. Enter by emailing greendragonactivities@gmail.com<\/a>. The next rounds in the contests are being held later this year in Cardiff and the Cotswolds.<\/p>\n Davina Carey-Evans added: \u201cThis is the first ever National Boat Show for Wales and what\u2019s interesting is how far and wide the exhibitors are coming from – from all across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.<\/p>\n “We believe the timing is perfect, too, because it’s taking place the same time as the Conwy River Festival.<\/p>\n “Two million adults in the UK enjoy water-based activities and the marine sector generates \u00a366.7 million in Wales alone.<\/p>\n “Wherever you go in Wales, you are never far away from a river, lake or coastline which is why it\u2019s renowned for not only offering every water sport activity possible but also some of the very best facilities to do so, so it is only fitting that we have our own boat show.<\/p>\n \u201cConwy boasts two marinas and a reputation for outstanding water sport amenities.\u00a0 It is also a major tourist attraction in its own right being a world heritage site with its own medieval castle so is the perfect location for a show of this stature and size.<\/p>\n “And with its easy accessibility whether by car, plane, train or even boat, it will appeal to a wide target audience from not only all of Wales but also the North West, Midlands, Isle of Man and Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n For more details on the All Wales Boat Show please call 0845 123 5438, email <\/strong>enquiries@allwalesboatshow.com<\/strong><\/a> or
\nvisit <\/strong>www.allwalesboatshow.com<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n