Report from the 2014 Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Championship in Hastings

Portugal's Nuno Cunha wins the Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Championship 2014.

Nuno Cunha and his prize of a big round pound received from Buttons Committee member Emily Gottfried

After the World £2 Tat Challenge the second of the amusement arcade championships contested at the Old Town Amusements in Hastings during the World Crazy Golf Championships weekend is the much sought after World Crazy Air Hockey Championship.

Amusements in Hastings, full of fun

This year a total of 32-players registered to compete and 31 actually turned-up.

With Peter 'The Crazy Aced Assassin' Jones making a welcome return to Hastings many of the crowd was eagerly anticipating seeing this wildman of the pucks in action. Unfortunately he was to be defeated at the hands of the Portuguese Man O' War Nuno Cunha who was in rampant form and won 7-4 in the semi-finals.



The other semi-final saw and all-Dodd match-up take place, with Matt picking up the win 5-3. Helen had defeated top talent including 'Squire' Richard Gottfried and Steve Lovell (by Rock Paper Scissors!?) in the preliminary stages.

Squire crashing out to Helen Dodd in the prelims. As per usual

Peter Roughley vs. Chris Hillman in quite a battle in the main arena

Local lad Ted McIver faces-off against Rhyl Professional Peter Jones on table 3

After a tie in the round stages Helen Dodd and Steve Lovell tied, with the crowd demanding a decision a brutal game of Rock Paper Scissors followed with Helen picking up the win

Dodd vs Dodd. Unfortunately Rob Dodd was unable to compete this year

The Puckmaster vs the young pretender

Cunha and Dodd with the eyes of the world (of Air Hockey in Hastings) on them

While Nuno would go on to be robbed by a cruel bounce-out on the very last hole of the World Crazy Golf Championships on the Sunday he had no such luck in his match in the final against Matt Dodd. He was on the ball (puck?) in the match, and while it was a closely contested match Nuno would take the grand prize and title of Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Champion for 2014.

His quid prize was quickly spent as he gave Matt a rematch almost straight away. Nuno won that match too. Talk about rubbing salt into the wounds...

Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Championships Hall of Fame:

2014 Nuno Cunha (POR)
2013 Chris Harding (ENG)

2012 Pasi Aho (FIN)

2011 Peter Jones (WAL)

2010 Kevin Moseley (ENG)

World Adventure Air Hockey Hall of Fame:

2013 Pasi Aho (FIN/GER)

The Undisputed International Worlds Crazy Air Squash Championships Hall of Fame:

2010* Scott Lancley (ENG)

* Note: the Air Squash tables were removed soon after, meaning the tournament became a 'normal' Air Hockey event.

Following the main-event Steve Lovell (Bully) and Steve Ragless (Stormtrooper) took each other on in a match. Nuno the Winner watched as Paul Preston acted as the ball boy - he was certainly dressed the part in his football socks!

Related blog posts:

- Air Hockey blog posts

Videos:
- Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Championships 2014 in Hastings - Jones vs Cunha
- Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Championships 2014 in Hastings - Grand Final

Holiday on the Buses Weekender at Pontin's 2014

Having a marvellous Holiday on the Buses at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park.

As BIG fans of On The Buses and members of the On The Buses Fan Club we jumped at the chance to visit the iconic holiday camp that was the setting for the film spin-off Holiday on the Buses.

The Holiday on the Buses plaque on the gates to Pontin's Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park

Organised by the On The Buses Fan Club, the Holiday on the Buses Weekender 2014 at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands allowed fans of the series and films the opportunity to stay at the camp, meet fellow fans and go on a number of mystery tours of filming locations.

The gates and Inspector's office at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands have not changed since the film was made!

So me, Emily and our friends Brad and Seth hit the road for what would become an unforgettable holiday!

En route to the Holiday on the Buses Weekender

At only £100 per person including food and entertainment it was marvellous value. Although it did cost us slightly more than £14 in fares to get to Prestatyn.

The main building at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park

With a programme of activities set-out for the Saturday and Sunday, we eagerly arrived on the Friday afternoon. After checking in we headed out for a look around - from an exterior point of view the Holiday Park has not changed much since it was a Holiday Village in the film. And that's a good thing.

The louts and hooligans having a look at the plaque at the main gates at the start of the Holiday on the Buses Weekender

After watching the film in the Queen Victoria pub on Saturday morning there was a talk by Paul Roberts who was a driver for the cast and crew during the production of Holiday on the Buses and we got to hear some very interesting stories and facts.

The office from where Blakey emerges in Holiday on the Buses

After the screening and talk by Paul we headed out for a walking tour of the park led by Craig Walker - author of some great books about On The Buses, and Steve Luxton - Inspector of the On The Buses Fan Club.

On the walking tour - this is the spot where Blakey gets his marching orders at the end of the film

The First Aid Post where Blakey and Jack receive their 'treatment' in the film

A discussion of the location of the drains which exploded after Stan blows up the chalet lavvy by bunging a fag end down the wotsit after Olive had put petrol down it

These were not the same drains from the film. There is always some sort of drain 'controversy' at an On The Buses Fan Club event!

The stairs that Mrs Hudson (Mavis' mum, played by Eunice Black) walks up to catch Stan 'at it' with Mavis

Saturday afternoon saw us head out on a tour aboard a 1973 Barton coach - which took in a visit to the Dyserth Waterfalls and Tea Rooms, the bridge at Abergele where Olive, Arthur, Mum and Little Arthur lose their luggage, and a drive through Rhyl.

The 1973 Barton Coach we travelled on during the Holiday on the Buses Weekender

On the coach

Dyserth Waterfalls Tea Room and Shop

At the bridge in Abergele where the family lose their luggage on the way to the holiday village 

After the tour we headed for a quick wander around Prestatyn town centre before walking back to Pontin's - via the seafront Crazy Golf course where we spotted our friend and fellow minigolfer, Peter Jones! We also had a chat with the friendly course owners who were looking forward to the visit by the On The Buses fans the next day.

Sunday began with another all you can eat breakfast (Emily, Brad and Seth tell me the food they had for brekkie and dinner was marvellous) and then a walk to the Crazy Golf course for The Butler Cup competition on the 18-hole course - a classic Arnold Palmer layout.

Emily showing everyone how to win at Crazy Golf

The Crazy Golf Champions - Emily with her Holiday on the Buses Pro trophy and Eric Huckle with the prestigious Butler Cup

A visit to the antique/collectibles/car boot sale/market in Prestatyn after playing Crazy Golf was interesting and we picked up a few bargains before heading back to the camp.

We also went to this surreal Indoor Car Boot Sale Without Car Boot at a house/tea room next to the train station in Prestatyn!

After the morning's Crazy Golf we had to have another game, and this time had a fun round on the 9-hole course in the park. Brad scored an amazing round of 18(par) on the tough layout for the win.

Emily playing Crazy Golf at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park

The layout is right next to the Go-Kart track, which back in the 1970's was the boating lake seen in the film.

This used to be the boating lake

We also re-enacted the scene with Mavis and her mum on the BIG bikes and had a fun cycle round the camp.

On the quad cycle

Give us a push. You're 'avin a larf! You'll never move that with four people on it

One of the funniest scenes in Holiday on the Buses takes place in the swimming pool and we had to have a dip while there. It was amazing that the pool is still recognizable from the film. Unfortunately the diving board has been removed, but the pool was still deep enough for some diving (belly flopping) into the very deep deep-end.

Outside the swimming pool

As well as all the On The Buses-related fun and minigolf during the weekend we got to play bingo, stand-up bingo (Seth won!), air hockey as well as other amusement arcade game fun and much more.

Brad and Seth in the first of many Air Hockey battles over the weekend

Seth Thomas - Standing / Reverse Bingo Champion at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands

The whole holiday was marvellous and we are looking forward to attending future On The Buses Fan Club events.

Near the dunes and beach where Stan and Jack lorst the bus to the tides on their moonlight mystery tour

Many thanks to Steve at the On The Buses Fan Club for organising such a great trip. And thanks to Pontin's for running such a fun holiday park.

The holiday park (camp) has lots to offer and is also close to the seafront. The apartments (chalets) were also comfortable, with plenty of space, good beds, nice bathrooms (with interesting showers) and a good sized kitchen area - including a fridge (perfect for stocking essentials like booze and gluten-free food for me).

Over the years I've stayed in a lot of holiday camps - my family used to go to Barry Island and Butlin's Minehead in the 80's and 90's as well as a few independent/smaller camps too. It was great to go for a Holiday on the Buses. A nice nostalgic trip.

Pontin's mad

Back in 2011 we attended the On The Buses Fan Club's annual event in Elstree. It was a marvellous day out and you can read more about it at "On The Buses Event - 40th Anniversary of the First On The Buses film."

You can join the On The Buses Fan Club for free by signing up with your email address on the website. The On The Buses Fan Club site has stacks of information, photos, interviews and more and is a great resource for fans of the TV show and films. There are also events and meet-ups throughout the year. If you're a fan of the show and films then we all recommend you join the club and look to book a future trip for a marvellous Holiday on the Buses.

Related blog posts:
- On The Buses
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Wales
- Prestatyn

Links:
- On The Buses Fan Club
- Pontin's Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park

KISS Monster Mini Golf in Las Vegas

A visit to the KISS Glow-in-the-Dark Indoor Minigolf course in Las Vegas, USA.

The entrance to KISS Monster Mini Golf in Las Vegas

Back in 2011 we heard about the unique KISS Rock n’ Roll-themed attraction that would be opening in fabulous Las Vegas in 2012 and on Emily's recent trip to the city she went along for a round. She tells me it was amazing.

And by the look of the great photos she took it certainly does!

The tee-off area for hole 1 at the 18-hole KISS Monster Mini Golf course 

The course is in a nice wide-open space and filled with some BIG minigolf obstacles

Emily putting into The Demon's mouth at KISS Monster Mini Golf

Janie about to putt in the nicely themed course

A view of the KISS Monster Mini Golf course

This hole had a sneaky shortcut to the cup

During your round the course's own DJ gives your group a shout-out!

Playing the right shot on this hole makes 'KISS' perform on stage!

Emily lining up a putt at KISS Monster Mini Golf

It's always great to wear white clothes when playing indoor black light minigolf courses

One of the BIG minigolf obstacles on the KISS Monster Mini Golf course

This hole had a small volcano obstacle on it

The fiery volcano

Indoor black light courses do look great with their contrast of colours

Playing against her international tournament rival Janie Peace, Emily won in a very close contest with a score of 46 to Janie's 48.

In addition to the 18-hole blacklight Mini Golf course the venue has an amusement arcade, Wedding Chapel, KISS Cafe, KISS Gallery and the largest KISS Gift Shop in the World!

KISS Monster Mini Golf is much more than just a minigolf course!

You can get married at the KISS Monster Mini Golf course's own KISS-themed Wedding Chapel!

The huge fish tank made for the course by the team from Fish Tank Kings

There looks to be an air hockey table in the large amusement arcade at the course

Emily got me some great merch from the KISS Gift Shop - including a t-shirt and four minigolf balls.

The HUGE KISS Gift Shop

The course can be found at 4503 Paradise Road (near to the Hard Rock Hotel) and is open seven days a week from 10am until midnight. For more information and prices check out the KISS Monster Mini Golf website.

KISS Monster Mini Golf looks great and has some HUGE obstacles and decorations around the course. I've enjoyed playing the indoor black light courses we've visited over the years. In the UK you can find two in Castleford and our friend Jam tells us there's one in Paignton too. I can't wait to play at the KISS course.

Monster Mini Golf create themed indoor glow-in-the-dark 18-hole minigolf courses. Each location is unique and custome designed and there are around 30 Monster Mini Golf courses in the USA and Canada. You can find out more about the courses, franchising and locations on the Monster Mini Golf website.

The course was the 580th visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and the 346th played.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Las Vegas
- New Indoor Minigolf Course Opening in Las Vegas - KISS Minigolf by Monster Mini Golf

Links:
- Monster Mini Golf website
- KISS Monster Mini Golf website
- Monster Mini Golf on Twitter
- KISS Monster Mini Golf on Twitter
- Monster Mini Golf - KISS, Las Vegas on Facebook
- Las Vegas 'tagged' Blog Posts on The Ham & Egger Files
- Merchandise