The World Tin Bath Championships: Unseaworthy Vessels

One of three self-governing island territories within the British Isles, the Isle of Man is an island of just 221 square miles (572 sq. km) located in the Irish Sea off the northwest coast of England. It is home to a sporting competition that really is one of a kind: the World Tin Bath Championships. The event takes place each year in Castletown on the south coast of the island. Castletown was the island’s historic capital until 1869, when a town further up the eastern coast called Douglas became the capital. Castletown is named after the medieval Castle Rushen, which has Viking origins. The town has been hosting the World Tin Bath Championships since 1971, when the first event was organised by the Castletown Real Ale Drinkers Society.

UNSEAWORTHY

More than one hundred people compete in the unusual race held in Castletown’s Middle Harbour. They sit in tin baths and paddle furiously down a four hundred-metre course, while around two thousand people cheer them on from the shore. Strict rules apply, ensuring that no participants have a hidden advantage. The tin baths are far from seaworthy and difficult to control, with some participants finding themselves floating off into the Irish Sea. Male, female and veteran categories participate in several rounds. The winners then race in the final. The winners are either those who are first to cross the finish line, or those who cover the longest distance before sinking. 

MACHINES AND SNAKES 

As well as the main event, other competitions take place. Among them are human-powered flights, where participants create their own homemade flying machines which they use to try to fly around Castle Rushen. Another highlight is the Snake Race, where teams of six race their ‘snakes’ (six human team members tied together) through the water to the steps of a pub called The Glue Pot. 

FUNDRAISER EVENT

This year’s World Tin Bath Championships will be held on 7 September and is an excuse to have a little light-hearted fun with family and friends. The championships see visitors from across the UK as well as further afield descend upon Castletown. The Castletown Real Ale Drinkers Society uses the event to raise money for local charities as a means to give something back to the community, as well as provide it with something to look forward to every year. As Boris Kitching, one of the event organisers, told the BBC last year: “Everyone told us how much fun they’d had, and even new entrants that sank said they would be back next year.”