Birdmen are trimming their feathers ready to take part in the 4th annual Worthing International Birdman competition.

 

The fun begins at 11.35am through to 1pm on Saturday 13 August where the serious flyers – Condors and Leonardo’s - can show off their flying expertise in their hi-spec flying machines boasting wingspans of up to 30 feet.  There will also be an opportunity for aviators to try a test flight in the new Vulcan class which allows flying machines with a wingspan of up to 40 feet to launch; a first in the UK.

 

From 12 noon to 2pm on Sunday 14 August the Kingfishers, also known as the ‘fun’ flyers, will launch themselves off the top of the 35 foot platform into the depths of the water below in the hope they can stay in the air for a few minutes (normally seconds!).  Our Condor and Leonardo aviators will then take to the skies for their 2^nd attempt to fly over 100m and the £10,000 jackpot prize.

 

Straight after flying each day and throughout the afternoon the World Class Freestyle Jet Ski display team who are seen at locations such as Thorpe Park and Alton Towers will power through the water showing off their amazing tricks.  There will also be a programme of entertainment on our Beach Stage and on Saturday a free movie on the beach “Shark Tale” will be shown on the big screen.

 

Chris Spratt, chairman of Worthing Town Centre Initiative (WTCI) organisers of Worthing Birdman event, says: “Since we successfully attracted the International Birdman competition to Worthing it has not only given a great deal of pleasure to residents and visitors it has also given Worthing so much positive publicity both nationally and internationally.  I was amazed when Sharon Clarke, Worthing Town Centre Manager, informed me that the BBC were featuring Worthing International Birdman on television in China and with competitors coming from as far afield as Serbia, New Zealand and Hong Kong to compete “International” is definitely the right word to use for this fun filled event”

 

Worthing council leader, Paul Yallop, adds: “This fantastic event is really popular with families not only from Worthing but from afar as well.   The council is pleased to support this event to put Worthing on the map.”

 

Sharon Clarke, Town Centre Manager for Worthing, says: “The whole Birdman team feel privileged to be able to bring such a fantastic event to Worthing and every year it is getting bigger and better.  The event is free to spectators but costs just over £60,000 to run annually; without the support of Worthing council and other sponsors and supporters it would not be possible to deliver such a great event for Worthing.”

The weekend, funded by Worthing Town Centre Initiative (WTCI), Worthing Borough Council and other sponsors and supporters attracts crowds of 10,000 plus and even more if the sun shines in sunny Worthing!

 

For more information visit: Become a fan on Facebook - worthingbirdman or follow on Twitter @worthingbirdman.

 

 

For those of you who have covered this event before you will know that space is very limited at the end of the pier. Accordingly we are inviting accredited journalists only to cover the event this year; passes will be given out on a first come first served basis. Non- accredited persons i.e. camera clubs etc are very welcome to cover the event BUT will be given access to the VIP area and not onto the main platform.

If you would like to cover the event and witness the crazy flyers flying off the end of Worthing Pier please email: wendy.knight@adur-worthing.gov.uk to register your interest.

 

We will be sending out the press flight pack nearer the event to all those who registered.  Please feel free to pass this invitation over to any other official media parties who might also want to cover the event.