Fizzy drinks give puddle jumpers unfair boost

Competitors in the World Puddle Jumping Championships have been banned from consuming fizzy pop and energy drinks before taking part because they may give them an unfair advantage.

The annual event at Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northants, attracts entrants from across the UK in various age brackets from young children to pensioners. Organisers of tomorrow’s event fear sugar and additives in fizzy drinks could make children more excitable and enable them to jump higher and make bigger splashes. Judges give marks based on the splash, height of jump, enthusiasm, and how much mud clings to each competitor.