James Bardolph Photoblog

Highlights from the Chap & Hendricks Chap Olympiad. Bedford Square, Saturday 15th July 2007.

Shot with the Canon EOS 20D and Canon EOS 3 using Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400 & Fuji Provia 400 (which I won’t be using again).

The Chap Manifesto. A book I purchased almost two years to the day, back in July of 2005. Who knew I’d be taking photos at the 3rd annual Chap & Hendrick’s Chap Olympiad.

Hundreds of spectators came to observe and picnic, while more than a hundred competitors competed on the day. They were “judged purely on style, wit, intelligence and mental agility”.

Atters and his lady friends.

Dali was in town to ensure there was a good dosage of surrealism.

Those lacking impressive facial hair did what they could to fit in.

Elegant lady sporting fashionable animal garment.

This chap has a superb moustache.

“Nimbly done”.

Some last-minute trash talking before the official opening of the games.

‘Fruity’ leads the competitors for a lap around the race course.

Meanwhile, all has been lost at Jenga.

The Master of Ceremonies.

The pipe is passed to all competitors at the beginning of the games.

First event: Martini Knockout Relay
‘Teams compete to mix a dry martini, without the aid of their butlers.’

Man in the middle thunders toward the table.

The MC reminds the contestants that perspiration is strictly prohibited.

Man in the middle slows to a gentle stroll.

He does what is required of him…

…and the tray is brought back to the second competitor in the team.

Now is time to pour the Vermouth.

After having a swig he eventually completed his task then team-mate #3 added the gin.

#4 did some shaking and then it was time for ‘Fruity’ to taste the drinks and select a winner.

A winner is chosen, and crowned on the podium by Gustav Temple.

Third event: Three-Trousered Limbo
‘Pairs of contestants share enormous trousers & must wriggle under a steadily lowered pole (undergarments MUST NOT be shared).’

Event five: Curling
‘Teams of three must propel a peruke with curling tongs to the finishing post, grooming the grass to speed it along.’

Curling is very serious business.

Not every competitor makes it to the end.

A short blast of Hendrick’s Gin & Tonic and he’ll be good as new.

Event six: The Hendrick’s Steeplechase
‘Ladies are the jockeys of the best-dressed stallions in the country. The hurdles are forbidding, ranging from tins of lager to hoodie mannequins.’

This duo went on to win the race.

A case of mistaken identity.

Event seven: Hop, Skip and G&T
‘Contestants must leap into the abyss holding a Hendrick’s gin and tonic spilling the least number of droplets.‘

We have a winner.


Event eight: Bounders
‘Six cads approach six ladies and behave atrociously. The winner is the recipient of the loudest slap.’

Gin & Tonic to the visage. What a waste!

Atters was triumphant, receiving multiple strikes to the face for his outrageous comments.

Event nine: Umbrella hockey
‘Teams of six use their brollies to propel a bowler hat to certain doom.’

Ladies vs Gents. First to score three points wins.

The Men went 2-0 up, only for the women to charge their way to 2-2.

A closely fought match. The Gents were the eventual winners.

Event ten: Freestyle Dash
‘Entrants must bring their OWN VEHICLES, which may be anything from a pogo stick to a bath chair. Any number of passengers is permitted. Only motorised vehicles and living animals are prohibited.’

Basket, complete with radio and complimentary pipe.

Atters tried to flounce the rules, failing in spectacular fashion.

Lady friends to the rescue.

Miss Kitten Von Mew invades the race course

Atters directs his carriage towards the Burlesque streaking beauty.

Won won the race in the end? I’ve no idea. It was so hilarious I think we all won.

As the day draws to a close, young chaps take to the inflatable chavs to give them a good seeing to.

Hendrick’s Gin & Tonic is quite a nice drink, as I’m sure this chap agrees.

FIN