Susanna Freymark
Slinging a gumboot as far as you can isn’t easy. There’s a knack to it.
There were a few rules in the gumboot tossing comp at Bonalbo on January 26.
Resident and Kyogle councillor Tom Cooper hosted the game, which he says comes from Sweden (Wikipedia says Britain).
Tossers must have both feet together and firmly on the ground and throw both gumboots at the same time—underhand throws only, no overhand.
For the past few years, the Gumboot Toss has been part of Australia Day celebrations at Bonalbo.
This year, the competition was ramped up with the Rivers of Origin Gold Gumboot Toss pitching east of the range contestants (Kyogle/Richmond River) against west of the range (Clarence River). The Clarence River team won.
People gathered on the golf course next to the Bonalbo Bowlo, they tossed, they laughed at how others tossed and the results are in –
Toddler: Nicholas Cooper
Junior: Ava Williams
Under 18: Sarah McCullagh
Open Women: Talitha Page
Open Mens: Tony Dean
Tony Dean was easily the biggest tosser, throwing a gumboot 17.23m
This is the first year of the Gold Gumboot Toss, next year it is back on and the trophies will be returned and new tossers will line up to throw the boots again.
If you think it’s easy and what’s all this fuss – give it a try at home. Don’t worry about what your neighbours think.
More info on gumboot tossing
Wikipedia says Welly throwing, also known as welly hoying, welly wanging and boot throwing, is a sport where competitors throw a Wellington boot as far as possible. The sport appears to have originated in the West Country of England in the 1970s, and became a popular activity at village fetes and fundraising events across Britain.
