News / Bristol Birdman
Thrills and spills at inaugural Bristol Birdman
Gravity was the real winner at Bristol’s first ever Birdman event, although a team made up of a burnt slice of toast was declared the official victors.
Hundreds of people gathered on either side of the Floating Harbour to watch a variety of magnificent men, women and children in their flying machines.
There was little flying but plenty of laughter as everything from a submarine to an intergalactic octopus crash-landed into the docks.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol Birdman had been organised by and was raising money for the charity Grassroot Communities, and their own improvised paraglider actually flew the furthest from the lift-off platform on Sunday morning.
But they magnanimously refused to accept the winner’s trophy which instead went to Brislington-based events company Bakehouse; the team who not only brought a toaster and a slice of burnt toast, but also a trio of dancing condiments and a pilot in the form of Butter Man.
Butter Man was the pilot for the winning team from Bakehouse – photo: Rob Browne
Grassroot Communities flew (or should that be fell?) the furthest on the day – photo: Rob Browne
A group of young judges awarded prizes to all participating teams, even if their aim was slightly off – photo: Rob Browne
The teams from All-Aboard Watersports only a few hundred yards away from the location of the event and Tomo No Ramen restaurant on West Street in Old Market both had contraptions that looked the most likely to actually fly.
But neither took to the skies and were both more like Icarus than Eddie the Eagle.
Grassroot Communities and Bristol Birdman founder Ben Carpenter, who first had the idea for the competition 18 years ago when he was working in New Zealand, said the event was “amazing”.
Donate to Grassroot Communities at www.goodhub.com/go/thebristolbirdman2025 and if you fancy taking part in 2026, you can register your interest here.
The Sea Cadets’ flying machine was a yellow submarine – photo: Rob Browne
Hundreds of people watched Bristol Birdman on both side of the docks – photo: Rob Browne
Main photo: Rob Browne; video: Martin Booth
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
