History
The event started in 1971 as the International Bird-Man Rally in Selsey, West Sussex. The event was initiated by George Abel, as part of a fund-raising activity for the Selsey branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Club. Abel, a former RAF photographer, who shortly after emigrated to Australia, where he also helped to organise Birdman events.
In 1978 the competition moved to the larger Bognor Regis resort, which also had a higher pier. By 1983 the competition had attracted European teams and the attention of the BBC. In 2008, because of the demolition of an 18 metre (60ft) length of the end of Bognor pier, the 2008 Birdman event was not staged in Bognor, due to safety concerns over water depth at high tide being 13 feet (4.0 m) at the new end of the pier. The 2008 and 2009 competitions were held in Worthing as a result f the safety concerns. After safety checks in 2009 the water depth was cleared by the Health and Safety executive as safe for competition. Events have subsequently been staged in both Worthing and Bognor Regis, creating the International Birdman Series.
Read more about this topic: International Birdman
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