Bonkers but brilliant - 5 wild contests in Nature

Who says connecting with Nature has to be sensible? We've gathered five of our favourite bonkers-but-brilliant outdoor contests that celebrate the natural world. Each event offers a fresh excuse to get outside, have some fun and deepen your connection with Nature, one barmy challenge at a time.

Stone Skimming

There is joy to be found in the art of stone skimming. Next time you’re out on a walk, hope you come across a calm, glassy stretch of water, search for the flattest, smoothest stone you can find (pebble beaches are spot on for this) and practise sending it flying across the surface. The goal is distance, but part of the fun lies in counting the number of bounces and watching the ripples trail behind when everything satisfyingly comes together.

Expert skimmers recommend holding the stone between your thumb and index finger, with its edge resting on your middle finger. Crouch low so that your throw stays as close to the water's surface as possible, then release the stone with a rapid swing, using your hips to generate power. The key is for the stone to be spinning, which helps prevent it from sinking.

Fancy testing your skills? Or just seeing the best on the scene in action, head to the World Stone Skimming Championships which take place each September on Easdale Island, Scotland’s smallest permanently inhabited island. Renowned for its slate quarrying heritage and breathtaking natural beauty, the island provides the ideal setting for this unique competition.

Worm Charming

This activity holds a Guiness World record, takes inspiration from the rain and is all over in 30 minutes – welcome to Worm Charming, a weird and wonderful contest, that now takes place all over the UK.

Worm Charming involves coaxing earthworms to the surface by creating vibrations in the soil. The rules are simple: teams are given a small plot, usually a couple of metre sq. to do whatever non-harmful techniques they can think of to encourage worms to emerge. Tools have been known to include maracas, xylophone, even a toy car. Digging or forking or any toxic liquids are strictly prohibited. Each team consists of a charmer and a collector(s), and those who gather the most worms within the allotted time are declared the winners!
Competitions are often supervised by committed Worm Wardens to ensure the welfare of the worms, and of course, that all worms returned safely to the ground after the competition. Any team or competitor caught cheating will be publicly humiliated and almost certainly disqualified.

Have you ever considered worm charming? If you’re really keen, you could try to beat the current world record, set in 2009 by 10-year-old Sophie Smith, who successfully charmed an astonishing 567 worms during Britain’s World Worm Charming Championship. Well done Sophie!

Photos: Georgia Gendall

Bog Snorkelling

Equal parts ridiculous, challenging and unforgettable, bog snorkelling proves that connecting with Nature doesn't always have to be serious. Sometimes, it means diving headfirst into a Welsh bog and seeing how fast you can make it to the other side!  

Now an internationally recognised event, it attracts competitors from around the world to the peat bogs surrounding Llanwrtyd Wells. The World Bog Snorkelling Championships challenge competitors to race through a 120-yard water-filled trench cut into a bog while wearing a snorkel, mask and flippers. There's just one catch: traditional swimming strokes are banned. Instead, competitors must propel themselves underwater using a doggy-paddle motion or the power of their flippers as they battle through the dark, murky water.

It's just as much fun for spectators. Fancy dress is actively encouraged, meaning world-class athletic performances often take place alongside competitors dressed as superheroes, animals and everything in between. Whether you're taking part or cheering from the sidelines, it's a brilliantly eccentric day out in Wales. Could you be the fastest bog snorkeller over 120 yards?

Birding

Birding is a pastime taken surprisingly seriously by its enthusiasts. Combining science, adventure, and the great outdoors, it has inspired bird-specific weather forecasts and its own fiercely competitive community.

There are many ways to be a birder, from extreme “listers” chasing rare sightings or simply getting to know your backyard birds. To be considered a ‘Birder’, is to head outside with the goal of checking off as many species as possible. Of course, Birders must adhere to a long list of official rules that dictate how and when they encounter the birds and agree to an ethical code that protects birds from getting stressed and laws from being broken. For example, species must be identified by eye or by ear with absolute certainty.  

Some enthusiasts take on the challenge of an American Birding Association (ABA) “Big Year,” attempting to see as many bird species as possible within a single year while meticulously recording every sighting and its location. The most successful participants can identify more than 800 species, a pursuit that can take them across continents and into some of the world’s most remote habitats.

Birding is also experiencing a surge in popularity on social media, with communities flourishing on Instagram and TikTok. Creators such as Matt Spracklen are introducing new audiences to the hobby and inspiring people to get outdoors. If you're curious about birding, consider joining a local group, grabbing a pair of binoculars, and setting yourself the challenge of a “Big Day”. All you need to get started is a sense of adventure and an appreciation for the natural world.

Photo: Dieny Portinanni

Conkers

Bonkers for conkers? Every autumn, players across the country take part in one of Britain’s most unusual traditions: conker contests. Using the hard, woody seeds of horse chestnut trees, competitors battle to see whose conker can survive repeated strikes from an opponent’s and smash their way to victory.

The rules of conkers are simple but strictly enforced. One player holds their conker still at a height chosen by their opponent. The other player wraps the string around their hand and swings their conker in an attempt to smash the opponent’s. After three attempts the players swap roles. The match continues until one conker is destroyed, leaving the other victorious.

Preparing a championship-worthy conker is serious business. Enthusiasts have their own secret techniques, from baking conkers in the oven to soaking them in malt vinegar. To make your own, start by finding large, round, glossy conkers. Carefully drill a hole through the centre of each one—children should always ask an adult for assistance. Thread a piece of string through the hole and tie a knot at one end to prevent it from slipping through. The string should be long enough to wrap twice around your clenched hand, with around 20 cm left hanging.

At the heart of this tradition is the World Conker Championships, hosted by the Ashton Conker Club since 1965. While the competition is fiercely contested, its primary aim is to raise money for local charities with music, food and drinks so it’s a great day out for all!

Photos: Karen Cann