World Tin Bath Championships held on the Isle of Man Published duration 15 July 2017

image copyright World tin bath championships image caption David Watt (blue t-shirt) and Erica Cowin (centre) took main title at this year's event

More than 120 intrepid souls gathered on the Isle of Man to compete in the World Tin Bath Championships.

Watched by hundreds around Castletown harbour, competitors had to propel decorated bathtubs by using a single or double-bladed hand paddle.

This year's male champion was David Watt and Erica Cowin took the title in the women's race.

The winner is either the first to cross the finish line or the one who covers the furthest distance before sinking.

Organisers of the annual event, which began in 1971, said participants must be able to swim "at least 50 yards".

Competitors came to the Isle of Man from across the British Isles, Europe and the United States.

image copyright Andy North image caption The spectacle has been held in Castletown harbour every year since 1971

image copyright World Tin Bath Championships image caption The 2017 event drew several competitors

In 2014, the event featured in the Daily Telegraph's top 10 weirdest festivals , ranking alongside Bognor's International Birdman Festival and Finland's Wife Carrying World Championships.

Organiser David Collister, who has competed every year since it began, said: "Spectators come because they like to see people get wet and they like to see people sink.

"It's two hours of family fun involving the type of tin baths your granny would use in front of a fire."

The event has raised almost £200,000 for charity during the last 35 years.

Tin Bath rules

image copyright John Phipp image caption The event, which attracts huge crowds, has been running since 1971