Piano Smashing

Piano smashing looks fun, is fun, but can be dangerous. It's actually a health and safety nightmare! Looking back at these photographs taken in 2002 I wonder that the girls were wearing no protective gear yet were wielding huge hammers with wood splinters and pieces of metal flying around.

If we were to do it now (which we're not!) we would require some protective clothing, especially goggles, we'd have a greater distance from the pianos to the crowd and would have Heras fencing to reduce the chance of splinters - or, perish the thought, a hammer - reaching spectators. Make sure there's a suitable safe distance between teams. This makes it safer and means the teams are more spread out for spectators to see one team clearly.
The whole scene should be on board and tarpaulin so that remaining wires and splinters can be easily cleared. It is absolutely essential for the piano wires themselves to be cut before the competition because the strain on the framework can cause serious injury if wires "ping" back. I'd also recommend ensuring no-one has been drinking and that they sign a form accepting responsibility for any damage they may suffer.
But apart from that - it's fun!

Well done, Pippa, Nicki, Sylvana and all!

Remember the object is to break up the piano into small enough pieces to pass through a 6 by 6 inch hole (the size varies). Make sure the hole is very strong, as the frame takes some battering!

Why all girls on this page? Because pictures of wild youths in testosterone fuelled rage with innocent pianos is too much for the sensitive viewer. Believe me. I was there....