MURFREESBORO, TN – The art of the sacred bellyflop is not for the faint of heart — or for those afraid of a good splat. This summer, brave souls across Rutherford County will once again risk skin and pride at the Boro Beach (aka the SportsCom outdoor pool) to showcase their abdominal athleticism in one of the most highly unanticipated events of the season: the Bellyflop Contest on the 4th of July at 12-noon!
For those unfamiliar with this majestic maneuver…A bellyflop is defined as a highly specialized, arguably graceful dive in which a human missile launches themselves through the air, only to land flat on their stomach (and maybe chest, depending on physics, fate, and body type)…If they don’t chicken out and they hit the water just right, they create a splash large enough to soak spectators three rows back — and a smack loud enough to send nearby ducks into cardiac arrest…
But don’t be fooled — this isn’t just a random act of aquatic flailing…This is intentional. This is technical. This is glorious self-sacrifice in the name of sport.
Contestants aim for one thing: a horizontal impact so perfectly executed it registers on the Richter scale (or at least gets a “wow” from the lifeguard)… Those who manage the ultimate combo of splash radius and decibel level might find that they are on their way - - to round two!
“It’s about commitment,” said one returning competitor, rubbing his belly like a war medal. “If you hesitate, you just end up doing a sad dolphin dive. And nobody claps for the sad dolphin.” It’s a contest for all ages and reports from SportsCom indicate, some belly floppers are getting up there in age…Clapping is what brings home the gold - - or should we say, crowd noise is what brings home the ice cold fountain drink, because that’s what folks are competing for…
Spectators are encouraged to bring towels (for the splash), sunscreen (for the wait), and sympathy (for the contestants)…Judges will award points for technique, pain tolerance, and maybe even the willingness to yell “CANNONBALL” when they’re clearly not doing one. Remember, if you win you’ll walk, limp or crawl away with the grand prize: eternal glory… and a free soda from the Boro Beach concession stand.
So whether you're a seasoned flopper or just someone who thinks pain is hilarious when it's someone else’s, come out to SportsCom and witness the slapstick magic of the bellyflop. It will take place at SportsCom’s Boro Beach this 4th of July at 12-noon! Get there early and be a part of the fun! You’ll laugh. You’ll cringe. You might even win a soda.
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