The Selsey Birdman Rally photos

The event started in 1971. It was initiated by George Abel as part of a fundraising activity for the Selsey Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association [RAFA] Club. Aspiring birdmen and birdwomen were challenged to fly a distance of fifty metres, entirely using muscle power, from a platform erected on the walkway to the Lifeboat Station. A prize of £1000 was on offer.

The event proved to be an instant success, drawing hopeful flyers from across the country and the attention of the national and international press.

Following global interest, the following year’s Rally attracted Japanese, German and Australian TV as well as BBC and ITV. Two classes were introduced: one for contenders for the fifty metre challenge and the other for comic entries. Again the event was a huge success, with an estimated 12,000 spectators, prompting similar events to be staged in Osaka, Japan and Sydney, Australia.

The last Selsey Birdman Rally was held in 1976. Its very success proved to be its undoing. The venue at the Lifeboat Station, in a residential area, could not handle the ever increasing number of spectators and strong local opposition caused the organisers to abandon further rallies.

The Birdman Rally was then taken up by Bognor Lions and later it moved to Worthing.