Showing posts with label World Alternative Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Alternative Games. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

World Alternative Games 2021

The countdown is on until the 2021 World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells.


World Alternative Games are held in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales

The World Alternative Games were due to take place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales this month. The fifth edition of the Games have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and are now scheduled for August 2021.

The festival of strange, obscure and interesting sports takes place over three weeks and sees thousands of athletes and spectators descend on the town to compete in, and marvel at, the sporting action.

The first edition of the World Alternative Games were held in 2012 to celebrate the huge year of sport and offer an alternative to elite sport with an open-to-all event. The second edition took place in 2014 and every two years thereafter. There were 35 events in 2012 and 60 titles up for grabs in 2014.

The competitors from the first-ever Finger Jousting Championships held on UK soil back at the 2012 World Alternative Games
The competitors from the first-ever Finger Jousting Championships held on UK soil back at the 2012 World Alternative Games

The Games are a superb mass participation multi-sport event and really do encourage everyone to get involved. Many spectators end up as competitors and the serious obscure sports enthusiasts very often take up a new sport after visiting.

The medalists from the 2014 Finger Jousting World Championships
The medalists from the 2014 Finger Jousting World Championships

Some of the sports included at previous editions include wife carrying, chariot racing, cheese rolling, pooh sticks, underwater hockey, archery, office chair racing, hay bale tossing, finger jousting, stone skimming, underwater rugby, space hopper racing, horseshoe throwing, bog snorkelling, crazy golf, worm charming, conkers, world of grip, zombie fun runs, plank racing, rock paper scissors, hide n seek and toe wrestling. There have been many many more contests and the 2021 event will be packed with a wide range of different sports and games to play.

World of Grip at the World Alternative Games
World of Grip was a tough challenge!

I have been a competitor, volunteer, organiser, advocate and promoter of the World Alternative Games since the first event in 2012.

With my Corinthian medal from competing in the World of Grip events
With my Corinthian medal from competing in the World of Grip events

I organised the World Finger Jousting Federation Championships at the first Games in 2012. Prior to that tournament I took part in the Egg Throwing Championships with my team-mate Jas Kukielka and we ended up winning the World Title!

Egg Throwing Championships at the 2012 World Alternative Games
On the World Alternative Games podium

It just goes to show that anything can happen when you're at the World Alternative Games!

Egg Throwing Championships at the 2012 World Alternative Games
The champions cooling down after the event

Egg Throwing Championships at the 2012 World Alternative Games
Spot the egg...

Visit the World Alternative Games website to find out more.


As well as being the UK's smallest town Llanwrtyd Wells is famous for being the host venue for a number of quirky and unusual sports and games, including the World Bog Snorkelling Championships and the annual Man versus Horse Marathon.

See more of my blog posts about the World Alternative Games.

Monday, August 06, 2018

2018 World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales

The World Alternative Games, the multi-sport event for quirky, odd and obscure games, is back for its fourth-edition.


As ever, the festival of sport will be taking place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales and competitors will be flocking to the town between the 11th and 27th August 2018 to take part in an action packed calendar of events for people of all ages and abilities.



Sports include egg throwing, worm charming, 4 Square, finger jousting, backward running, pea shooting, bog snorkeling, wheelbarrow racing and much much more.

We had a superb time at the inaugural event in 2012 and the follow-up in 2014.

Egg Throwing Championships at the World Alternative Games
Alongside Jas Kukielka I captured the 2012 World Egg Throwing Championships!

Check out the World Alternative Games website for more details and the event schedule.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

2016 World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales

The World Alternative Games, the multi-sport event for quirky, odd and obscure games, is back for its third-edition this year.



The festival of sport will be taking place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales between the 12th and 29th August 2016 and features an action packed calendar of events for people of all ages and abilities.

Athletes at the World Alternative Games compete in the Corinthian Spirit

We organised the Finger Jousting Championships at the 2012 and 2014 events. In the first-year there were 35 events, with over 60 titles up for grabs in 2014.

The competitors at the Official World Finger Jousting Championships in 2014

At the first edition of the event in 2012 I also won the World Alternative Games Egg Throwing Championships with my team mate Jas Kukielka. I also competed in the World of Grip and Portaputt contests in 2014.

About to win a world title

Find out more about the World Alternative Games on the official website.

Links:
World Alternative Games website
- World Finger Jousting Federation website

Related blog posts:
World Alternative Games

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Finger Jousting videos from the World Alternative Games 2014

Competitors from five countries competed in the World Finger Jousting Championships at the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales with Sara Galvao of Portugal and Denis Taylor of Russia crowned as new world champions.

Finger Jousting at the World Alternative Games 2014
The Finger Jousting Champions and Corinthian competitors at the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells

Following the event the World Finger Jousting Federation, the governing body for the sport of Finger Jousting, has uploaded a number of videos with action from the event to the WFJF YouTube Channel.

Video: An introduction to the official 2014 World Finger Jousting Championships

Check out the World Finger Jousting Federation's YouTube Channel for more videos from the 2014 World Finger Jousting Championships.

You can read the report from the World Finger Jousting Championships on the WFJF website.

Links:
- World Finger Jousting Federation
- World Finger Jousting Federation on YouTube
- World Alternative Games

Related blog posts:
- Finger Jousting
- World Alternative Games

Friday, August 15, 2014

World Finger Jousting Championships at World Alternative Games 2014

Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, UK, 10 August 2014 - Competitors from five countries competed in the World Finger Jousting Championships at the World Alternative Games in Wales. Sara Galvao of Portugal and Denis Taylor of Russia crowned as new world champions.

The 2014 World Finger Jousting Championship competitors
The 2014 World Finger Jousting Championship competitors

On Sunday, 10 August 2014 the official World Finger Jousting Championships were hosted by the World Alternative Games 2014 and sanctioned by the sport's governing body, the World Finger Jousting Federation (WFJF). The tournament took place in Britain's smallest town, Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales.

Split into two categories - Male and Female – the competition was once again a truly international affair with competitors hailing from Russia, Portugal, New Zealand, Wales, and England. Players competed in a round-robin format played to a six-point victory, or a time-limit, over three quick-fire, 30-second rounds of finger jousting action.

Finger jousting – known as Ymwan Bys in the Welsh language – is a sport where two consenting players square off in an attempt to prod their opponent with their lancing (right) index finger before the opposing player can. The competitors must keep their right hands locked in an arm wrestling fashion and not use their legs or latent (left) arm in an offensive manner. The competitors are known as jousters, and the act of touching the other person's body with the index finger is known as lancing.

Tazzy Cadman (ENG) and Jasmine Reah (WAL) Finger Jousting in Llanwrtyd Wells
Tazzy Cadman (ENG) and Jasmine Reah (WAL) Finger Jousting in Llanwrtyd Wells

The day of the tournament saw ex-Hurricane Bertha land on the British Isles, but that didn't put off the hardy competitors at the World Alternative Games, with outdoor events including worm charming, a space hopper race, and egg throwing taking place outside.

During the morning a number of exhibition matches and preliminary contests took place to whet the appetite for the afternoon's major tournament. A number of local competitors lined-up to take on the tournament referee and the WFJF's British Consul, "Squire" Richard Gottfried, in a mixture of Quick Play and Point Play Rules matches.

Rhodri Haines (WAL) vs Marc Broughton (ENG) at the World Alternative Games 2014
Rhodri Haines (WAL) vs Marc Broughton (ENG) at the World Alternative Games 2014

The afternoon saw competitors able to head indoors to the Victoria Hall (Neuadd Fictoria) which was home to the World of Grip, the Portaputt Crazy Golf course and the stage for the World Finger Jousting Championships.

To read the full tournament results, report and to see more photos of the event please visit the World Finger Jousting Federation website.

Portaputt at the World Alternative Games

Playing Portaputt Crazy Golf at the World Alternative Games.

The Portaputt Mini Golf course at the World Alternative Games
The Portaputt Crazy Golf course at the World Alternative Games

While in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales to organise the Finger Jousting Championships at the 2014 World Alternative Games Emily and I had the chance to play the 8-hole layout that Cwmbran-based business Portaputt had brought to the Games for people to have a go on.

Emily on the third hole of the Portaputt course set-up in the Victoria Hall (Neuadd Fictoria) in Llanwrtyd Wells
Emily on the third hole of the Portaputt course set-up in the Victoria Hall (Neuadd Fictoria) in Llanwrtyd Wells 

The Portaputt course became the 344th course played and 577th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Putting on Portaputt

We enjoyed playing the course and thought the some of the rules the Kukielka family have come up with for Portaputt, such as the tee-off points for replacing the ball after missed first shots, are very good and aid faster - and less frustrating - play for both children and adults.

The World Alternative Games 2014 consist of over 60 sport and recreation events held during a festival of fun and games in Llanwrtyd Wells. Check out the events listing and Games brochure on the World Alternative Games website for more information.

For more information about Portaputt Crazy Golf check out the Portaputt website.

Links:
- Portaputt website
World Alternative Games website

Related blog posts:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
World Alternative Games
Wales
Minigolf etc. - English to Welsh translations

Thursday, August 14, 2014

World of Grip at the World Alternative Games

Entering the World of Grip!

While organising the World Finger Jousting Championships at the World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales I had a go at the sport of Grip.

The World of Grip were at the Games and hosted a variety of events, including one aimed at newcomers.

World of Grip at the World Alternative Games
The World of Grip medals at the World Alternative Games

In the First-Timers Class there were eleven competitors and I finished in 9th place overall, picking up a 5th place finish in the first event - the Half a Penny Hold!

World of Grip at the World Alternative Games
Event 1 - the Half a Penny hold - literally holding a weight by half a penny sized disc using only your thumb and forefinger. I managed to hold 10kg for 6 seconds

In event 2 - Shallow Hub - I was 10th and in the third and final event - PickAxe Lever to Rear - I was 9th.

World of Grip at the World Alternative Games
Event 2 - the Shallow Hub - like holding a very large and heavy jar by the lid using only the tips of your fingers and thumb. I recorded a lift of 9kg for 14 seconds

World of Grip at the World Alternative Games
Event 3 - the PickAxe Lever to Rear hold - you had to keep the lever steady so as not to knock a small ball off of the middle of the lever. I managed to lift and hold 2.4kg for 11 seconds

My very first go at World of Grip saw me lift a weight for 19 seconds, but this was outscored by my 6 second lift of 10kg in the Half a Penny discipline.

World of Grip at the World Alternative Games
The World Alternative Games Corinthian medal for competing in the World of Grip

There were also some pro events and a number of world records were broken at the event! Check out David Horne's World of Grip website and the World of Grip Facebook page for more info and results.

World of Grip at the World Alternative Games
The pro Grip athletes in action at the final event of the day - the Braced Snapping Steel Bar - a twenty minute event where the competitors have to snap a steel bar!

The World of Grip contest was another in the long-line of hand and finger sports I've competed in that have included Finger Jousting, Arm Champs (video game Arm Wrestling), Thumb Wrestling and Rock Paper Scissors.

The World Alternative Games 2014 is a multi-sport event with over 60 sport and recreation contest held during the festival of fun and games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

Related blog posts:
- World Alternative Games
- Behold...

Links:
- David Horne's World of Grip website
- World of Grip's Facebook page
Results of the 2014 World Alternative Games – World of Grip contest
- Results of the World of Grip contest on the World Alternative Games website
- World Alternative Games

Wednesday, August 06, 2014

Finger Jousting Win-Loss Record

'Squire' Richard of Surleigh's Finger Jousting Win/Loss Record from 2006-2014.

With the 2014 World Finger Jousting Championships taking place at the World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales fast approaching here is an update of my Finger Jousting Win/Loss Record as 'Squire' Richard of Surleigh.

Career Win-Loss Record Stats
- Played 132
- Won 120
- Lost 9
- Tied 3
- % Won 90.91%

Matches (Pre-Official Membership of the WFJF)
- Played 14
- Won 9
- Lost 5
- Tied 0
- % Won 64.29%

Matches (Since Official Membership of the WFJF)
- Played 118
- Won 111
- Lost 4
- Tied 3
- % Won 94.07%



Finger jousting is a sport where two consenting players square off in an attempt to prod their opponent with their lancing (right) index finger before the opposing player can. The competitors must keep their right hands locked in an arm wrestling fashion and not use their legs or latent (left) arm in an offensive manner. The competitors are known as jousters, and the act of touching the other person’s body with the index finger is known as lancing.

Since the 5th October 2006 I have faced over 30 different opponents in 24 different locations and I am undefeated for over seven years (21.12.06 - present) - an 89 bout undefeated streak.

Links:
- World Finger Jousting Federation
- World Alternative Games 2014

Related blog posts:
- Finger Jousting video - Squire Richard of Surleigh vs. Sir Myles of Hampshire
- News Release - World Finger Jousting Championships at World Alternative Games 2014
- Finger Jousting in Llanyrafon, Cwmbran, Wales
- Finger Jousting

Saturday, August 02, 2014

News Release - World Finger Jousting Championships at World Alternative Games 2014

Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, UK, 28 July 2014 - Competitors invited to take part in official World Finger Jousting Championships in Llanwrtyd Wells.

On Sunday, August 10th competitors will square-off to compete in the World Finger Jousting Federation’s international championship in Britain’s smallest town, Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales. The tournament will be hosted by the 2014 World Alternative Games.

Finger Jousting Competitors at the 2012 World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales

Finger jousting is a sport where two consenting players square off in an attempt to prod their opponent with their lancing (right) index finger before the opposing player can. The competitors must keep their right hands locked in an arm wrestling fashion and not use their legs or latent (left) arm in an offensive manner. The competitors are known as jousters, and the act of touching the other person’s body with the index finger is known as lancing.

Entry to the World Finger Jousting Championships cost £4 per person and players can enter and pay on the day or secure a place by registering to compete in advance via the World Alternative Games website.

The World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells were created in 2012 as an alternative to the “other big event” taking place in the United Kingdom that year. In 2014 the World Alternative Games will hold their over 60 interesting sports, games, and events between Friday, August 8th and Monday, August 25th.

Read the full news release on the World Finger Jousting Federation website.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Egg Throwing at the World Alternative Games

Egg Throwing competition to be held at the World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells on Sunday 10th August.

The upcoming World Alternative Games will once again feature an Egg Throwing competition!

Taking place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales during the morning session on Sunday 10th August the Egg Throwing tournament ('Taflu Wyau' in Welsh) is an Open event.

Players compete in pairs and the aim is to throw and catch a raw egg without breakage. After each round the teams must move further apart until there is just one team left standing with a whole unbroken egg.

Its a great, fun event and at the 2012 World Alternative Games me and my team-mate Jas Kukielka won the competition!

Egg Throwing at the World Alternative Games
The 2012 World Alternative Games Egg Throwing Championships Gold Medal winning team and the Silver Medallists - from l-r Jas 'Jasain Bolt' Kukielka, Richard Gottfried (with Egg), Seve Kukielka

To register to take part in the Egg Throwing event, and other contests, please visit the World Alternative Games website.

Egg Throwing at the World Alternative Games
Throwing an egg to Jas Kukielka

Egg Throwing at the World Alternative Games
Egg Throwing can be a messy sport!

In the morning session on the 15th August there will also be a Russian Egg Roulette competition ('Rwlet y Rwsiaid â Wyau')! Each player takes it in turn to crack an egg on their forehead until one unlucky competitor finds they have the one fresh egg in six smashed on them. The winner moves into the next round.

The World Alternative Games are taking place place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August 2014 with over 60 sport and recreation events held during the festival of fun and games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

The official WFJF Finger Jousting World Championships will also be taking place at the 2014 Games, with male and female competitions taking place in the afternoon session on Sunday 10th August.

Check out the events listing and games brochure on the World Alternative Games website for more information.

Links:
World Alternative Games website
World Alternative Games on Twitter
World Alternative Games on Facebook
World Finger Jousting Federation website

Related blog posts:
Becoming a World Champion in Egg Throwing!
Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
World Alternative Games

Friday, July 18, 2014

Conker Championships at the World Alternative Games

Conker Championships to be held at the World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells on Friday 15th August.

The upcoming World Alternative Games will feature a Conkers competition!

Taking place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales in the AM session on Friday 15th August the Conker Championships ('Pencampwriaethau Concyrs' in Welsh) will see competitors split into three groups - men, women and children.

At the start of each game, the competitors will be given a new lace and conker and each player then takes three alternate strikes on the opponent’s conker. The game's outcome is decided when one of the conkers is smashed.

To register to take part in the Conker Championships, and other contests, please visit the World Alternative Games website.

My friend Chris 'Stretch' Jones was the official World Conker Champion in 2006! At the 2007 Midlands Minigolf Open tournament in Warwick I got to see some world class conker action as the then World Conker Champion was challenged by preliminary competitor Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd!

Chris 'Stretch' Jones - 2006 World Conkers Champion - holding out his conker for enhancement talent Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd to take a shot
Chris 'Stretch' Jones - 2006 World Conkers Champion - holding out his conker for enhancement talent Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd to take a shot

The World Alternative Games are taking place place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August 2014 with over 60 sport and recreation events held during the festival of fun and games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

The official WFJF Finger Jousting World Championships will also be taking place at the 2014 Games, with male and female competitions taking place on Sunday 10th August.

Check out the events listing and games brochure on the World Alternative Games website for more information.

Links:
World Alternative Games website
World Alternative Games on Twitter
World Alternative Games on Facebook
World Finger Jousting Federation website

Related blog posts:
Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
World Alternative Games

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Zombie Fun Run at the World Alternative Games!

Zombie Race to be held at the World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells on Monday 11th August.

A Zombie Fun Run will be taking place at the upcoming World Alternative Games!

The race (shouldn't it be a shamble?) will be held in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales during the PM session on Monday 11th August.

Anybody can enter the The Zombie Fun Run ('Râs Hwyl Sombi' in Welsh) and there will be many different categories. The main rule is that you MUST be dressed up as a zombie!!! Runners should start thinking about their costume and make-up now, as the 'best dressed' zombie will win.

The closest I've ever been to a Zombie Race was trying to evade the hordes at the Halloween Zombie Apocalypse in Hastings outdoor laser tag event in 2011!

A Zombie Apocalypse victim and a future victim in Hastings
A Zombie Apocalypse victim and a future victim in Hastings

Christopher Gottfried and two new friends at the Zombie Apocalypse in Hastings
Christopher Gottfried and two new friends at the Zombie Apocalypse in Hastings

To enter the Zombie Fun Run, and other contests, please visit the World Alternative Games website.

Llanwrtyd Wells is renowned for its quirky and odd sporting events. One of the most physically demanding contests is the annual Man vs Horse Marathon that began in 1980! For more information check out the Green Events website.

The World Alternative Games are taking place place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August 2014 with over 60 sport and recreation events held during the festival of fun and games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

The official WFJF Finger Jousting World Championships will also be taking place at the 2014 Games, with male and female competitions taking place on Sunday 10th August.

Check out the events listing and games brochure on the World Alternative Games website for more information.

Links:
World Alternative Games website
World Alternative Games on Twitter
World Alternative Games on Facebook
World Finger Jousting Federation website

Related blog posts:
Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
World Alternative Games

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Rock, Paper, Scissors at the World Alternative Games

Rock, Paper, Scissors competition to be held at the World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells on Monday 11th August.

The upcoming World Alternative Games will feature a Rock, Paper, Scissors competition!

Taking place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales in the PM session of Monday 11th August the Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament ('Pencampw riaeth Carreg Papur Siswrn' in Welsh) is an Open event where everyone can compete on the same level and one person will become the Corinthian Rock, Paper, Scissors Champion.

We're big fans of Rock, Paper, Scissors and have competed in many of the Wacky Nation RPS events over the years. In 2012 we were fourth (as San Marino)  in the International Team Rock, Paper, Scissors Championships in London.

Facing off against Neil 'Razor' Ruddock in an International Rock Paper Scissors 'friendly' match in 2012!

To register to take part in the Rock, Paper, Scissors event, and other contests, please visit the World Alternative Games website.

The World Alternative Games are taking place place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August 2014 with over 60 sport and recreation events held during the festival of fun and games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

The official WFJF Finger Jousting World Championships will also be taking place at the 2014 Games, with male and female competitions taking place on Sunday 10th August.

Check out the events listing and games brochure on the World Alternative Games website for more information.

Links:
World Alternative Games website
World Alternative Games on Twitter
World Alternative Games on Facebook
- Wacky Nation website
World Finger Jousting Federation website

Related blog posts:
Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
World Alternative Games

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Worm Charming at the World Alternative Games

Worm Charming Competition to be held at the World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells on Sunday 10th August.

Amongst the many sports, games and events on offer at the upcoming World Alternative Games will be a Worm Charming Championship!

Taking place  at the Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales on the morning of the 10th August the Worm Charming Championships ('Pencampwriaethau Hudo Mwydod' in Welsh) will be using the official IFCWAP (International Federation of Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes) rules for the event.

To register to take part in the Welsh Worm Charming Championships, and other events, please visit the World Alternative Games website.

In July 2011 alongside my friend (and champion worm charmer) Oliver 'The Machine' Florence, and my nephew Kallum Harper, I competed in the Worm Charming Competition at St Mary’s Village Carnival in Edlesborough, Buckinghamshire. What an event that was!

Action from Plot 68 at the Worm Charming Competition at St Mary’s Village Carnival in 2011
Action from Plot 68 at the Worm Charming Competition at St Mary’s Village Carnival in 2011

The World Alternative Games will be taking place place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August 2014 with over 60 interesting sport and recreation events held during the festival of fun and games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

The official WFJF Finger Jousting World Championships will also be taking place at the 2014 Games, with male and female categories for athletes to compete in on Sunday 10th August.

Check out the events listing and games brochure on the World Alternative Games website.

Links:
- World Alternative Games website
- World Alternative Games on Twitter
- World Alternative Games on Facebook
- IFCWAP (International Federation of Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes) website
- World Finger Jousting Federation website

Related blog posts:
- Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
- World Alternative Games
- Worm Charming Competition at St Mary’s Village Carnival in Edlesborough

Monday, July 14, 2014

Hide N Seek at the World Alternative Games

Hide N Seek tournament to be held at the World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells on Sunday 10th August.

Amongst the 60+ sports and games events on offer at the upcoming World Alternative Games will be a Hide N Seek competition!

Taking place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales in the afternoon of the 10th August the Hide N Seek competition ('Chwarae Cwato' in Welsh) will feature both adult and junior team categories.

The Japan Hide-and-Seek Promotion Committee was established in 2010 and aims to have the sport in the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan!

The rules of tournament Hide N Seek sees two teams of seven players face each other in a ten minute match. In the first five minutes, half of one team is given two minutes to hide within an area that measures 65ft x 65ft. The opponents then have to locate and tag the hiding players, with the second half of the match mirroring the first. The rules are the same for children under the age of 12, but the area measures 55ft x 88ft.

Hide N Seek in Llanwrtyd Wells - can you spot me and Emily in this photo in the town centre?
Hide N Seek in Llanwrtyd Wells - can you spot me and Emily in this photo in the town centre?

To register to take part in the Hide N Seek event, and other contests, please visit the World Alternative Games website.

The World Alternative Games are taking place place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August 2014 with over 60 interesting sport and recreation events held during the festival of fun and games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

The official WFJF Finger Jousting World Championships will also be taking place at the 2014 Games, with male and female competitions taking place on Sunday 10th August.

Check out the events listing and games brochure on the World Alternative Games website for more information.

Links:
World Alternative Games website
World Alternative Games on Twitter
World Alternative Games on Facebook
World Finger Jousting Federation website

Related blog posts:
Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
World Alternative Games

Sunday, June 15, 2014

World Alternative Games - Go West!

Details of the 'World Alternative Games Go West' sports events taking place in Whitland and St Clears in June and July 2014.

The World Alternative Games 2014 logo

The World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells were created in 2012 as an alternative to the 'other big event' taking place that year. In 2014 the World Alternative Games will be taking place place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August with over 60 interesting sport and recreation events held during the festival of fun and games.

Competitors at the 2012 World Alternative Games Finger Jousting tournament
Competitors at the 2012 World Alternative Games Finger Jousting tournament

This year there will also be two 'World Alternative Games Go West' events taking place in St Clears and Whitland, Carmarthenshire, Wales on Saturday 21st of June and Sunday 27th of July respectively.

Poster for the Celtic Lowland Games and the St Clears World Alternative Games Go West event taking place on Saturday 21st of June 2014

One of the events taking place in the St Clears and Whitland Games (as well as the August main-event) will be Finger Jousting!

The World Alternative Games Go West events are being led by local volunteers and as well as Finger Jousting, sporting events on offer to participants in the St Clear's Games on the 21st of June will be Caber Tossing (using a fence post!), Bung the Boar, Baili Chase, Sandbag Quoits, Rock Paper Scissors, Tractor Crank, Dizzy Challenge and 'Sheepdog' Trial (a pairs event). It sounds excellent. Check out the St Clears Celtic Lowland Games Scorecard below for details of the event sponsors too.

Details of the World Alternative Games Go West event taking place in St Clears on the 21st of June 2014

The World Alternative Games Go West event in Whitland on the 27th of July will also feature Finger Jousting, Caber/Fence Post Tossing, Rock Paper Scissors, Quoits along with an Assault Course and the intriguingly named Bog Squatting! Details of the events and sponsors can be seen below.

Details of the World Alternative Games Go West event taking place in Whitland on the 27th of July 2014

People taking part in three or more events at a World Alternative Games Go West event will receive one of the prestigious World Alternative Games Corinthian Medals.

All World Alternative Games events are run with the Corinthian Spirit in mind, and while Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded to top placed competitors the most important thing is that visitors to Llanwrtyd Wells (and St Clears & Whitland) get as involved as possible in the fun and activities. Every participant in an event will receive one of the Corinthian Medals for taking part.

Egg Throwing medal winners at the 2012 World Alternative Games - Jas Kukielka, Richard Gottfried & Seve Kukielka
Egg Throwing medal winners at the 2012 World Alternative Games - Jas Kukielka, Richard Gottfried & Seve Kukielka

Later this summer, on Saturday 9th of August, the World Alternative Games at the Seaside event will take place at Pendine Sands in Carmarthen Bay.

Pendine Beach is well known for its association with speed sports and events, and the seaside Games will see such events as 'Land Speed Wife Pulling' (a variation of sorts of the Wife Carrying events Llanwrtyd Wells is famous for) and 'Human Hamsters' - a land zorbing race!

Emily and I visited Pendine Sands on our tour of the Welsh coast in 2009 and we played the 129th course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour there. A nice seaside spot it was too.

The World Alternative Games is a mammoth feast of sporting events, ranging from fun and recreational activities to those at the elite, extreme and physical ends of the spectrum. In 2012 there were over 2,000 participants in 35 events, while this year will see 60+ contests and events! There really is something for everyone at the World Alternative Games.

We had a great time in Llanwrtyd Wells in 2012 running the Finger Jousting Championships and competing in the Egg Throwing and we can't wait to be a part of the 2014 World Alternative Games.

Further details about the World Alternative Games Go West can be found on the event Facebook page here and on page 11 of the 2014 World Alternative Games brochure here.

Check out the links below for more information about the events.

Links:
- World Alternative Games 2014 events list and dowloadable event brochure
- World Alternative Games website
- World Alternative Games on Facebook
- World Alternative Games Go West on Facebook
- World Finger Jousting Federation
- World Finger Jousting Federation on Facebook

Related blog posts:
- Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
- 2014 World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
- Becoming a World Champion in Egg Throwing!
- Finger Jousting to feature as a sport at the 2012 World Alternative Games!

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales

Calendar of events announced and new World Alternative Games Facebook page launched for 2014 Games.

Logo of the World Alternative Games 2014

This year's World Alternative Games will see over 60 different sports and activities taking place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August in Britain's smallest town - Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales. 

The organisers of the 2014 World Alternative Games have launched a new Facebook page for the 18-day festival of sport.

Among the sports people can compete in will be Finger Jousting - with the World Finger Jousting Federation hosting its first official World Championship on Sunday 10th of August.

World Alternative Games 2012
The Finger Jousting competitors at the World Alternative Games 2012

In 2012 Emily and I organised the World Alternative Games Finger Jousting Championships that saw competitors from five countries take part in the first Finger Jousting tournament on UK soil! Check out the World Alternative Games 2012 Finger Jousting Championships report on the WFJF website for more info, results, photos and facts & stats from the event.

Finger Jousting at the World Alternative Games 2012
The crowd looks on as Chief Umpire Emily officiates the Finger Jousting contest between Joachim Davidse (NED) and Alain G (FRA) at the 2012 World Alternative Games

We had a brilliant time in Llanwrtyd Wells and can't wait to return to be a part of the excellent event.

Other sports on offer include Bog Snorkeling, Wife Carrying, Man vs Horse Race and a huge number of other interesting, weird, wacky and wonderful sports and games and designed to appeal to a wide-range of people of all sporting abilities.

As well as organising the Finger Jousting I also competed in the Egg Throwing Championship alongside Jas Kukielka and we took a very surprising Gold Medal in the event!

Egg Throwing at the World Alternative Games 2012
Jas Kukielka, me and Seve Kukielka with our World Alternative Games medal haul for Egg Throwing at the 2012 Games

The World Alternative Games calendar of events for 2014 is available online and you'll be able to see the vast array of activities on offer!

For further information about the World Alternative Games 2014 check out the website and Facebook page of the games.

The website also has details of places to stay. In 2012 we stayed received a very warm welcome at the Bryncelyn Guest House and had a great (gluten free) meal in the restaurant at the Lasswade Country House hotel in the town.

One of my favourite pubs in the world is the town's Neuadd Arms Hotel - which is also the Headquarters of the Monster Raving Loony Party.

Neuadd Arms Hotel in Llanwrtyd Wells
Me and Jas Kukielka outside the Neuadd Arms Hotel in Llanwrtyd Wells - Headquarters of the Monster Raving Loony Party!

Links:

Related blog posts: