Russians Invent New Form Of Breast Stroke

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday August 30, 2005

And who said Russians don't know how to have a good time? This week's pick picture

from the world of the wacky comes from the village of Losevo about 110 kilometres

from St Petersburg where they've just held the annual Bubble Baba Challenge race

down the Vuoska river. Apparently riding the rapids while going the grope on a piece

of well-endowed plastic is a proud Russian tradition dating back all the way to 2003.

The idea came after a bunch of men from the town held a party and no women turned

up. This year 126 competitors took part. But it?s not all good news, as the local Russian

mafia is convinced someone is making money from the event and is threatening to

disrupt future competitions if they are not paid "rent" for use of the river.