The World Paper Aeroplane Championships are set to be held in Burnham-On-Sea’s town centre today (Sunday, 20th August).
Burnham-On-Sea residents and visitors will get a chance to become a world champion during the third annual event.
It will get underway in Burnham High Street from 10am-3pm when entrants will be able to fold their plane and then let it soar into the air.
The only equipment required will be an ordinary sheet of A4 paper. Participants must fold it, calibrate it and check the aerodynamics before releasing the plane and putting their extraordinary skills to the test.
It doesn’t matter if you are a rookie as there will be lots of designs to choose from and detailed instructions on how to make them so that every competitor will be able to fold a proper paper airplane in a heartbeat.
All planes must be folded with no illegal substances such as glue, cellotape or staples. The ground control crew will carrying out random checks during the day.
The winner will be whoever manages the furthest distance before landing and will receive a prize of fifty pounds. The current course record is a staggering 34.3 metres.
Sally Raynes, Event Director at Wacky Nation said: “We will be expecting a few aborted take-offs, plenty of turbulence and the odd crash landing along the way!”
Burnham-On-Sea Chamber of Trade & Commerce Vice Chairman Mark Newman added: “We are very pleased to have the championships landing in Burnham-On-Sea again and hope that this entertaining event brings people into the town centre for the day. I am looking forward to seeing a new World Champion crowned at 3pm.”
The free event will be held between 10am and 3pm and is provided by Burnham-On-Sea Chamber of Trade & Commerce in conjunction with Sedgemoor District Council offering a fantastic opportunity for a fun family day out.
The rules for World Paper Aeroplane Championships will be:
1. Paper planes must only be constructed at site from one piece of the provided official paper; standard A4 format, not more than 100 grams.
2. The paper can be launched in any aeroplane form of your choice. Ten designs will be available to copy or use a style of your choice, the less ‘boeing’ the better!
3. The sheet must be modified by folding only, no ripping, cutting, gluing or stapling is allowed!
4. The aircraft must be launched by one person throwing the aircraft unaided from behind a straight launch line marked on the floor. Passing over the launch line will lead to an invalid attempt.
5. Burnham-On-Sea does not have a run-way but competitors can feel free to add some authenticity to their throw with some background plane noise!
6. The longest distance will be measured with a standardised tape measure from the starting line to where the paper plane lands.
Also see:
What’s on in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge
