Wellie wanging
Encyclopedia
Wellie wanging, or wellie throwing, is a sport that originated in Britain
in Upperthong
, Holmfirth. Competitors are required to hurl a Wellington boot
as far as possible within boundary lines, from a standing or running start. A variation requires participants to launch the wellie from the end of their foot as if they were kicking off a pair of shoes. The high level of competition has led to precise, highly-regulated rules for the sport.
The World Welly Wanging Championships are held each year in the town of Upperthong in Holmfirth. It is thought that welly wanging originated following an incident where a pint of Tetley’s Bitter was spilt into someones welly. Since that iconic moment the sport has never looked back.
Note that the word wellie is also often spelt as welly. Wellie wanging events today are often associated with fundraising events.
Many other countries have their own equivalent of wellie wanging. The town of Taihape
in New Zealand
, styles itself the gumboot-throwing capital of the country (or the gumboot-throwing capital of the world), while an annual Boot-Throwing World Championship takes place in various European countries such as Germany, Finland and Poland.
One handed – This is a commonly used technique, where the competitor uses a single hand to propel his or her welly. This can be attempted either right or left-handed, but you cannot use both simultaneously on separate boots.
Double handed – This is often used where there is a particularly large welly, so that both hands can fit securely around the boot. Propulsion in this position usually involves a shot-put-style swing technique.
Between the legs – This is where the competitor throws the welly from between their legs, facing towards the target and bending the legs slightly to accommodate the swing. This is a commonly applied technique for smaller competitors and beginners.
Backward throw – This is when the competitor throws the welly over their head, whilst facing away from their target. Whilst this enables a large back swing, it also means that the target is out of sight for the duration of the throw. The competitor must also be wary of having the boot land on their head when throwing in this position.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
in Upperthong
Upperthong
Upperthong is a village approximately above sea level near the town of Holmfirth in the Holme Valley, approximately seven miles south of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England.-History:...
, Holmfirth. Competitors are required to hurl a Wellington boot
Wellington boot
The Wellington boot, also known as rubber-boots, wellies, wellingtons, topboots, billy-boots, gumboots, gummies, barnboots, wellieboots, muckboots, sheepboots, shitkickers, or rainboots are a type of boot based upon leather Hessian boots...
as far as possible within boundary lines, from a standing or running start. A variation requires participants to launch the wellie from the end of their foot as if they were kicking off a pair of shoes. The high level of competition has led to precise, highly-regulated rules for the sport.
The World Welly Wanging Championships are held each year in the town of Upperthong in Holmfirth. It is thought that welly wanging originated following an incident where a pint of Tetley’s Bitter was spilt into someones welly. Since that iconic moment the sport has never looked back.
Note that the word wellie is also often spelt as welly. Wellie wanging events today are often associated with fundraising events.
Many other countries have their own equivalent of wellie wanging. The town of Taihape
Taihape
Taihape is the Northern gateway town of the Rangitikei District, located near the middle of the North Island of New Zealand. It services a large rural community and lies on State Highway 1, which runs through the centre of the North Island.- Economy :...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, styles itself the gumboot-throwing capital of the country (or the gumboot-throwing capital of the world), while an annual Boot-Throwing World Championship takes place in various European countries such as Germany, Finland and Poland.
World Welly Wanging Association rules
- Welly wanging is a sport open to all people irrespective of age, sex, race, creed, religion, nationality and colour. And people from Lancashire.
- The sport shall be a civilised affair. Fair play, good humour and good manners shall be exhibited at all times.
- No umpire shall be needed. A player’s word and their honour shall be sufficient.
- Distances shall be measured in yards, feet and inches. None of this European nonsense.
- The standard welly shall be the Dunlop green, size 9, non steel toe-cap. Competitors shall select whether they use left or right welly.
- No tampering with the welly shall be allowed. Factory finish only. No silicone polish is to be applied.
- A maximum run-up of 42 paces shall be allowed. This distance was chosen in memory of Douglas Adams, himself a proponent of the sport.
- The run-up shall end with a straight line of 10 feet in length, that being the width of a standard Yorkshire gate.
- The welly shall land within the area defined by the straight lines between the Upperthong Gala field and Holme Moss television mast on one side, and on the other by the line between the field and Longley Farm windmill. This playing area is known as the ‘Thong’.
- There shall be four categories: Men’s and Women’s, and Boys and Girls (u-14’s)
- The welly shall be projected using any action of the arm or foot for the respective categories.
- The use of wind assistance is allowed and, indeed, encouraged. Waiting for a suitable gust, however, is limited to one minute. No artificial or man-made wind is to be used.
- The winners of the two adult categories at the World Championships shall receive a leg of Yorkshire lamb. The winners shall demonstrate the ethos of Welly Wanging by inviting friends to share the lamb over a convivial Sunday Lunch. Winners of the Children’s category shall receive a crisp five-pound note. They can spend this on anything they like.
Techniques
There are four main techniques for ensuring good welly propulsion:One handed – This is a commonly used technique, where the competitor uses a single hand to propel his or her welly. This can be attempted either right or left-handed, but you cannot use both simultaneously on separate boots.
Double handed – This is often used where there is a particularly large welly, so that both hands can fit securely around the boot. Propulsion in this position usually involves a shot-put-style swing technique.
Between the legs – This is where the competitor throws the welly from between their legs, facing towards the target and bending the legs slightly to accommodate the swing. This is a commonly applied technique for smaller competitors and beginners.
Backward throw – This is when the competitor throws the welly over their head, whilst facing away from their target. Whilst this enables a large back swing, it also means that the target is out of sight for the duration of the throw. The competitor must also be wary of having the boot land on their head when throwing in this position.