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Pumpkins fly at Big Chill Surf Cantina

Longtime flying-gourds tradition lives on in Sussex County
Mike Johnson keeps an eye on his chunk that ended up going 25-feet-7-inches. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
Ron MacArthur
November 15, 2019

World Championship Punkin Chunkin may have pulled up roots and moved to Illinois, but one local restaurant/bar – with a penchant for fun – refuses to let the tradition die.

On Nov. 10, Big Chill Surf Cantina on Route 1 near Rehoboth Beach hosted its third annual version of Punkin Chunkin, minus air cannons and trebuchets. This contest is all about strength and technique, and exceeding a 20-foot chunk is considered a long distance. The event is a throwback to how the world championship event started in 1986, when some Lewes-area friends figured out a way to get rid of leftover Halloween pumpkins.

The Big Chill record of 42 feet belongs to Kelly Dickerson, who won the first two events.

Autism Delaware was the beneficiary of the event with $20 of every registration fee and part of the proceeds from the afternoon going to the organization.

Chunk Norris wins world championship trophy

The official World Championship Punkin Chunkin took place Nov. 2 and Nov. 3 in Rantoul, Ill. For the first time in several years, a machine in the catapult/torsion division took top honors. The Chunk Norris team from Bedford, N.H., won the trophy with a world-record chunk of 4,091 feet. Started in Lewes in 1986, Punkin Chunkin evolved into an international event. However, legal issues and high costs forced organizers to search outside Sussex County for another venue. From 2014 to 2018, the event took place only in 2016.

 

Mike Johnson keeps an eye on his chunk that ended up going 25-feet-7-inches. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
Kelly Dickerson won the first two Big Chill events. In the process he set a record of 42 feet.
Ty Murray, who had the longest toss of 27-feet-10-inches in the first round, uses an underhand technique on his second-round shot.
Using a low approach, Erick Puente lets a 14-feet-8-inches chuck fly.
Michael Travers chunks his pumpkin high into the air reaching more than 18 feet.
Sarah Williamson is the first off the block in the women’s division.
After trying to pick a miniature pumpkin, organizers made Vicky Pritchet toss a regulation-size pumpkin, which she tossed 8-feet-9-inches.
Candace Ruckle gives it her all, but didn’t quite reach 10 feet on this toss.
Geri Vota uses a one-hand technique, which propelled her to the elite chunkers in the women’s division.
Dozens of Fifer Orchard pumpkins met their fate during the third annual Big Chill Punkin’ Chunkin’.
Handmade trophies await the winners of the 2019 Big Chill Punkin’ Chunkin’.
Becca Anderson, a Big Chill staff member, seems a little hesitant as she thinks about her chunk.

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