Woodbridge fish-throwing contest returns, attracting crowds, controversy, and airborne seafood.

By Our Angling Correspondent: Courtney Pike

WOODBRIDGE – Crowds are expected to descend upon Woodbridge this weekend for the return of the town’s fiercely competitive and faintly bewildering annual Fish Throwing Championships.

The event, now in its 14th year, will see contestants hurl freshly donated mackerel, herring and ethically sourced cod across a marked athletics field beside the River Deben while judges assess distance, style and “aroma”.

Competitors from across Suffolk are expected to attend, including reigning champion Darren “The Haddock Hammer” Mullett, who last year launched a three-pound sea bass an estimated 41 feet before it struck a gazebo belonging to the local bowls association.

“It’s not just brute force,” explained organiser Clive Rumbold, adjusting a fluorescent steward jacket carrying traces of squid ink. “There’s technique involved. You need timing, balance and a fish with good aerodynamics. Flat fish are unpredictable in crosswinds.”

Flying Fish

This year’s championships will feature several new categories, including Junior Sprat, Ladies’ Trout Lob, and the controversial freestyle division known as “Anything From The Bucket”.

Local businesses are already preparing for the annual influx. One café has introduced a limited-edition “Full Fisherman’s Breakfast”, while a nearby pub confirmed it had installed temporary odour-neutralising equipment “as a precaution”.

Not everyone supports the event. Animal welfare campaigners previously criticised organisers after a pollock became lodged in a church gutter for three days during the 2023 final.

However, supporters insist the competition remains an important cultural institution.

“It brings the community together,” said resident Sheila Barker. “And if you stand upwind, it’s actually rather enjoyable.”

Meanwhile: London tourists – Suffolk visits limited to twelve-hours