Make a splash at Martin Mere
DRESS up warm and get your wellies on this February half term as WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre hosts the third North West Puddle Jumping Championships.
The event, from February 11-19, is encouraging children of all ages to get out into the fresh air and have fun jumping in puddles, competing against each other for the biggest splash.
This year WWT’s new children’s character, Dusty Duck is joining in the fun and helping kids create the biggest, craziest splash possible.
Dusty was exclusively designed by the world-famous Aardman studios to help celebrate WWT’s 70th anniversary by getting children closer to nature.
As well as the main puddle jumping competition arenas, there will be practice zones set up to help entrants perfect their splashing techniques before the 2pm competition.
It’s only 50p to enter and every entrant will receive a ‘splashtastic’ sticker to acknowledge their puddle jumping skills – with the daily ‘super-splasher’ receiving prizes.
Jumps will be judged on the enthusiasm of the jumper, creativity of the jump and the height of the splash. Normal admission charges apply to participate in this event.
In addition, other jumping and welly activities include taking part in our frog jump between 11am and 12.30pm and see how far you can throw a wellington boot in our welly shot putt event between 1pm and 2pm, as well as letting the kids run wild in the Adventure playground after watching hundreds of Whooper swans feed on the Mere at 3pm from the new Discovery hide.
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre is open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9.30am to 4.30pm during winter months and parking is free of charge.
Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6.
The centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations.
Visit their website www.wwt.org. uk/martinmere/ to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight WWT Wetland Centres.