stuff

S T U F F

The 1970s witnessed an explosion in streak-ing – an activity defined, rather splendidly, by The Times in 1973 as ‘racing nude between two unpredictable points’.

HISTORYAlthough the relationship between human naked-ness and sporting endeavour has links back to Greek times, sociologists trace the popularity of streaking amongst spectators to American college campuses which, at times, seemed almost over-run with students altogether. In 1974 the Dean of Memphis State University became so exasperated by naked students he decreed that undergradu-ates caught streaking would be suspended.

FAMOUS STREAKERSPerhaps the most infamous British streakers include Erica Roe (undisput-ed ‘queen of streaking’), Michael O’Brien, Michael Angelow and Mark Roberts, who has more than 300 streaks under his non-existent belt, including Wimbledon, the Grand National and even Crufts.

UNUSUAL PASTIMES, NO. 18

streaking

POPULARITYAlthough streaking has had its knockers, the activity is still popular and few sporting events are safe from the determined exhibitionist: Royal Ascot, Spain’s Pamplona bull run, the Tour de France, international synchronised swimming, and even the world snooker championships have all been targeted.

CULTURAL INFLUENCEThe campus-streaking craze inspired Ray Stevens’ novelty record The Streak, which was recorded in 1974, spent 3 weeks at No.1 in the USA and sold over a million copies. In the same year, without doubt the most famous non-sport-ing streak was performed by 33-year- old Robert Opal, who sauntered naked behind David Niven at the Oscar ceremony. Opinion is divided as to whether or not the exposure of Janet Jackson’s nipple by Justin Timberlake during Super Bowl 38’s halftime show qualifies as even a very partial streak.

“It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do.”Jerome K.Jerome (1859-1927)

“SERIOUS SPORT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FAIR PLAY... IT IS WAR MINUS THE SHOOTING.”George Orwell ( 1903 - 50 )

It should come as no surprise that a sport as idio-syncratic as elephant polo should have been dreamt up in a St Moritz bar by two dedicated riders of the Cresta Run. The brainchild of Jim Edwards and Olympic tobogganed James Manclark; elephant polo is gov-erned by the World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA), which hosts its annual tournaments on a grass airstrip just outside the Royal Chitwan National Park, in Nepal. Although many similarities exist between elephant polo and its equestrian forerunner, a number of modifications have been made to allow for the inherent differences between horses and pachyderms. the Royal Chitwan National Park, in Nepal. Although many similarities exist between elephant polo and its equestrian forerunner, a number of modifications have been made to allow for the inherent differences between horses and pachyderms.

THE PITCHThe elephant polo pitch is 210m x 70m, 3⁄4 that of a traditional pitch, with 4 players on each side.

EQUIPMENTAlthough the game used to be played with foot-balls, the elephants quickly developed a passion for stamping on the balls until they exploded. Nowadays standard polo balls are used. Sticks range from 6-9ft in length, varying on the size of the elephant, and have a traditional mallet head.

PARTICIPANTSEach elephant has two people on its back; the player who strikes the ball, and the mahout who handles and steers the elephant. Smaller, more nimble elephants are favoured for offensive roles, though older female elephants are often placed defensively near goal to intimidate male competition.

RULESA game is comprised of two 10 minute chukkas, with a 15 minute interval during which elephants and ends are changed. To avoid instinctive but dangerous herding behaviour, no team may have more than 3 elephants in one half at any time. A foul is committed if an elephant lies down in front of the goalmouth. Similarly, a foul is committed if an elephant picks up the ball with its trunk. To ensure that the elephants do not overheat, games are not played after midday. ‘Ball-boys’ are responsible for removing piles of dung, to avoid the possibility of balls becoming ensnared, or excrement being flung by swinging mallets.

UNUSUAL PASTIMES, NO.27

It should come as no surprise that a sport as idio-syncratic as elephant polo should have been dreamt up in a St Moritz bar by two dedicated riders of the Cresta Run. The brainchild of Jim Edwards and Olympic tobogganed James Manclark; elephant polo is gov-erned by the World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA), which hosts its annual tournaments on a grass airstrip just outside the Royal Chitwan National Park, in Nepal. Although many similarities exist between elephant polo and its equestrian forerunner, a number of modifications have been made to allow for the inherent differences between horses and pachyderms. the Royal Chitwan National Park, in Nepal. Although many similarities exist between elephant polo and its equestrian forerunner, a number of modifications have been made to allow for the inherent differences between horses and pachyderms.

THE PITCHThe elephant polo pitch is 210m x 70m, 3⁄4 that of a traditional pitch, with 4 players on each side.

RULESA game is comprised of two 10 minute chukkas, with a 15 minute interval during which elephants and ends are changed. To avoid instinctive but dangerous herding behaviour, no team may have more than 3 elephants in one half at any time. A foul is committed if an elephant lies down in front of the goalmouth. Similarly, a foul is committed if an elephant picks up the ball with its trunk. To ensure that the elephants do not overheat, games are not played after midday. ‘Ball-boys’ are responsible for removing piles of dung, to avoid the possibility of balls becoming ensnared, or excrement being flung by swinging mallets.

UNUSUAL PASTIMES, NO.27

It should come as no surprise that a sport as idiosyn-cratic as elephant polo should have been dreamt up in a St Moritz bar by two dedicated riders of the Cresta Run. The brainchild of Jim Edwards and Olympic tobog-ganed James Manclark; elephant polo is governed by the World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA),

which hosts its annual tournaments on a grass airstrip just outside the Royal Chitwan National Park, in Nepal. Although many similarities exist between elephant polo and its equestrian forerunner, a number of modifications have been made to allow for the inherent differences between horses and pachyderms.

THE PITCHtraditional pitch, with 4 players on each side.

RULESA game is comprised of two 10 minute chukkas, with a 15 minute interval during which elephants and ends are changed. To avoid instinctive but dangerous herding behaviour, no team may have more than 3 elephants in one half at any time. A foul is committed if an elephant lies down in front of the goalmouth.

Similarly, a foul is committed if an elephant picks up the ball with its trunk. To ensure that the elephants do not overheat, games are not played after midday. ‘Ball-boys’ are responsible for removing piles of dung, to avoid the possibility of balls becoming ensnared, or excrement being flung by swinging mallets.

It should come as no surprise that a sport as idiosyn-cratic as elephant polo should have been dreamt up in a St Moritz bar by two dedicated riders of the Cresta Run. The brainchild of Jim Edwards and Olympic tobog-ganed James Manclark; elephant polo is governed by the World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA),

which hosts its annual tournaments on a grass airstrip just outside the Royal Chitwan National Park, in Nepal. Although many similarities exist between elephant polo and its equestrian forerunner, a number of modifications have been made to allow for the inherent differences between horses and pachyderms.

THE PITCHtraditional pitch, with 4 players on each side.

RULESA game is comprised of two 10 minute chukkas, with a 15 minute interval during which elephants and ends are changed. To avoid instinctive but dangerous herding behaviour, no team may have more than 3 elephants in one half at any time. A foul is committed if an elephant lies down in front of the goalmouth.

Similarly, a foul is committed if an elephant picks up the ball with its trunk. To ensure that the elephants do not overheat, games are not played after midday. ‘Ball-boys’ are responsible for removing piles of dung, to avoid the possibility of balls becoming ensnared, or excrement being flung by swinging mallets.

STREAKIN

The 1970s witnessed an explosion in streaking – an activity defined, rather splendidly, by The Times in 1973 as ‘racing nude between two unpredictable points’.

POPULARITYAlthough streaking has had its knockers, the activity is still popular and few sport-ing events are safe from the determined exhibitionist: Royal Ascot, Spain’s Pamplona bull run, the Tour de France, internation-al synchronised swimming, and even the world snooker championships have all been targeted.

CULTURAL INFLUENCEThe campus-streaking craze inspired Ray Stevens’ novelty record The Streak, which was recorded in 1974, spent 3 weeks at No.1 in the USA and sold over a million copies. In the same year, without doubt the most famous non-sporting streak was performed by 33-year- old Robert Opal, who sauntered naked behind David Niven at the Os-car ceremony. Opinion is divided as to whether or not the exposure of Janet Jackson’s nipple by Justin Timberlake during Super Bowl 38’s halftime show qualifies as even a very partial streak.

“It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do.”

Jerome K.Jerome (1859-1927)

STREAKIN

The 1970s witnessed an explosion in streaking – an activity defined, rather splendidly, by The Times in 1973 as ‘racing nude between two unpredictable points’.

CULTURAL INFLUENCEThe campus-streaking craze inspired Ray Stevens’ novelty record The Streak, which was recorded in 1974, spent 3 weeks at No.1 in the USA and sold over a million copies. In the same year, without doubt the most famous non-sporting streak was performed by 33-year- old Robert Opal, who sauntered naked behind David Niven at the Os-car ceremony. Opinion is divided as to whether or not the exposure of Janet Jackson’s nipple by Justin Timberlake during Super Bowl 38’s halftime show qualifies as even a very partial streak.

STREAKIN

The 1970s witnessed an explosion in streaking

Times in 1973 as ‘racing nude between two unpredictable points’.

CULTURAL INFLUENCEThe campus-streaking craze inspired Ray Stevens’ novelty record The Streak, which was recorded in 1974, spent 3 weeks at No.1 in the USA and sold over a million copies. In the same year, without doubt the most famous non-sporting streak was performed by 33-year- old Robert Opal, who sauntered naked behind David Niven at the Os-car ceremony. Opinion is divided as to whether or not the exposure of Janet Jackson’s nipple by Justin Timberlake

very partial streak.

STREAKIN

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Documents

pitchthe elephant polo

standard polo balls

popularity of streaking

royal chitwan national

naked students

partial streak

famous nonsporting streak

royal ascot