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Usually held at the Bog snorkelling Championships, unfortunately this year it has been cancelled.
If you know of any other events please let us know.

Many years ago inhabitants of the fens relied upon long poles to help them cross from river bank to river bank. And as the Raft Race takes place alongside the river Welland it seems only fitting that part of our Fenland heritage ought to be revived.

And that's why the National Dyke Jumping Championships will once again form an important addition to the 2004 Raft Race Weekend. After last years 'toe in the water' taster event (excuse the pun!) the organising committee have decided to go all out to 'bring it on' alongside the banks of the riverside meadow.

So if you think you're up to the challenge of scoring the 'longest leap' then make sure you get yourself an application form from the downloads section of this web site. You never know, you might find yourself listed in the 'Guinness Book Of World Records' in years to come!

The art of dyke jumping is hundreds of years old. Long before Dutch engineers drained the fens, and with few roads and bridges, the abundance of drainage dykes presented a major problem to those wanting to travel from neighbour to neighbour. Inhabitants resorted to using stilts or long poles to help jump across the deepest drains and dykes.

This early form of pole jumping for distance led the way to the world class pole vaulting for height that now forms an integral part of modern day athletics.

But now the art of 'distance' jumping is being revived at the annual Deepings Raft Race who have now included it as part of their 'Wacky Water Sports' Weekend.

If you want more information about taking part in the National Dyke Jumping Championships then call Paul Armitage on (01778) 346108 or email Paul at: paul.armitage@deepingsraftrace.com