Women in training for welly wanging competition

Four women throwing wellington boots across a grassy field
Image caption,

The activity involves people hurling a wellington boot as far as possible down a grass playing field

  • Published

Women in Devon have been running training sessions ahead of an annual welly wanging competition after only two people took part in the event last year.

The welly wanging competition happens annually at Wembury's summer fair, and will take place on Saturday to raise funds for Wembury Primary School.

The activity involves people throwing a standard size nine green wellington boot as far as possible down a grass playing field.

Sian Ward-Edwards, who helped organise the training ahead of the event, said it was "really important to gather as many women as we could to come and wang on our summer fair."

'Some excellent throwing'

Ms Ward-Edwards said: "There was a severe lack of representation for women welly wanging in Wembury so we felt it was an important thing to take on so we can change that this year.

"I think what's really interesting is the different techniques being tried out, people are trying to find out what works for them and I think there's been some excellent throwing."

She added the turnout to the training session had been "really encouraging".

Three wellington boots in mid air
Image caption,

Participants are entitled to three throws during the competition to see who can get their welly the furthest

Evan Acres, the current reigning champion of the men's and junior's welly wanging competition, also attended the warm up event to offer advice.

He said: "I throw it sideways, but I go from higher and come through.

"Then I put as much effort into my foot as I can - but it went a bit sideways."

Participants are entitled to three throws during the competition to see who can get their welly the furthest.

Ms Ward-Edwards said the money raised from the summer fair would go towards repairing the Wembury Primary School swimming pool.

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