Leighton Buzzard girl, 5, crowned World Puddle Jumping Champion
Bonnie impressed judges with her inventiveness, enthusiasm and the size of her splash!
A five-year-old girl from Leighton Buzzard has been crowned the 2026 World Puddle Jumping Champion, achieving one of the highest scores in the competition's history!
Judges say Bonnie Howard won with her enthusiasm and the size of her splash.
The annual World Puddle Jumping Championships, run by Wicksteed Park in Kettering, has been held since 2013.
Its attracted thousands of entries since its creation from people all across the world, including Australia.
How the competition is judged
Entries are marked on...
- the height of the jump
- competitors' enthusiasm
- the distance of the splash
- the "stickability" – how much mud sticks to each competitor
Adapting to dry weather
Usually, competitors are asked to film themselves jumping in naturally formed puddles or puddles they've made.
Because of the recent lack of rainfall, organisers also allowed entries filmed in paddling pools this year.
Judges say they were particularly impressed with Bonnie's inventive approach, as she used a hosepipe to create her own muddy puddle.
“Bonnie is beside herself with excitement at winning."
Bonnie's mum Gemma Hill said Bonnie is beside herself with excitement after hearing she'd won: "We had a great time, although I can’t say the same for my geraniums! She has destroyed part of the garden, caking us all in mud in the process!
“She even got her paddling pool out to jump up and down in that, turning it into a swamp too.”
"The perfect example of what the competition is all about"
Wicksteed Park Director Kelly Richardson said: “Bonnie’s entry was the perfect example of what the competition is all about. She clearly had an amazing time out in the fresh air and sunshine, creating her own puddles and jumping with real enthusiasm, getting extra marks for managing to splash mud all over her mum in the process!”