The Florida Man Games are back for a second round, bringing together teams from across the Sunshine State to compete in the most absurd, over-the-top events imaginable. Following the success of last year’s inaugural event in downtown St. Augustine, organizers have expanded the madness to the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, allowing for more spectators, tailgating, and, naturally, more chaos.
What Are the Florida Man Games?
Inspired by Florida’s reputation for bizarre and outrageous news stories, the Florida Man Games put competitors through hilarious, chaotic, and uniquely Floridian challenges. This satirical competition is a tongue-in-cheek take on the legendary exploits of “Florida Man”, the fictional embodiment of wild, often unbelievable headlines.
New Events and Returning Favorites
Last year’s competitions included crowd-pleasers like:
- Evading Arrest Obstacle Course – A race that tests participants’ ability to dodge police officers and escape imaginary handcuffs.
- Beer Belly Sumo Wrestling – A battle of bulk, beer guts, and brute force.
This year, organizers added new, even wilder events, such as:
- Hurricane Party Prep: Grocery Aisle Brawl – A simulated supermarket showdown where contestants fight for the last loaf of bread and case of beer.
- Human Beer Pong – Because regular beer pong just isn’t extreme enough.
Meet the Competitors
With ten teams from across Florida, the competition was fierce. Last year’s defending champions, Team Hanky Spanky from St. Augustine, returned to protect their snakeskin championship belt. This year also featured an all-female team, the Ball Busters, proving that Florida chaos knows no gender limits.
Among the standout competitors was Croix Bruns, a 29-year-old technician for Dave & Buster’s, who took part in the weaponized pool noodle competition. A lifelong Floridian with tattoos to prove it, Bruns believes that a true Florida Man doesn’t train—he is simply born ready.
“They’re born ready for the trophy and ready for the title,” Bruns said. “Each year, someone new has to be born for it.”
Not Your Average Sporting Event
The Florida Man Games aren’t just for the competitors—spectators are encouraged to dive into the action as well. Guests could:
- Ride a mechanical alligator because, in Florida, bulls are overrated.
- Interact with live alligators from Gatorland, for those who think stuffed animals are too tame.
- Watch a wild “Midget Wrestling Warriors” show, bringing high-energy entertainment to the ring.
- Experience lawnmower racing, hosted by NASCAR driver Jeffrey Earnhardt.
What Makes the Florida Man Games Special?
Announcer Che Durena summed up the spirit of the games perfectly:
“It’s exactly on-brand the way I thought it would be,” he said. “It’s the right level of grimy, extravagant, and debaucherous. It’s exactly what I want. It’s a lot of people day drinking, getting sunburnt, and just acting foolish in the best way possible.”
Croix Bruns took it a step further, comparing the Florida Man Games to the Olympics—but with gator tossing.
“They don’t have a contest where you’ve got to hold your beer and fight someone else at the same time,” he said.
The Legacy of Florida Man
The “Florida Man” phenomenon gained national attention in 2013 when a viral Twitter account (@_FloridaMan) began sharing real-life, often ridiculous news headlines, such as:
- “Florida Man Bites Dog to ‘Establish Dominance’”
- “Florida Man Tries to Pay for McDonald’s With Weed”
The Florida Man Games take this spirit of absurdity, mischief, and questionable decision-making and turn it into an annual spectacle of athleticism (or lack thereof).
Final Thoughts: Will You Be the Next Florida Man Champion?
As Round 2 of the Florida Man Games wraps up, one thing is clear: this is a competition unlike any other. It’s a celebration of all things wild, weird, and uniquely Floridian—with plenty of beer, sunburns, and gator-related antics along the way.
So, if you think you have what it takes to join the ranks of the world’s worst superhero, start training now. Because next year, the legend of Florida Man will only grow stronger.
