Pegleg Bennett

Pegleg Bennett
Personal information
BornRick Bennett
1969 (age 55–56)
ResidenceSt Agnes, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom

Pegleg Bennett (born 1969)[1] is a British lifeguard and professional big wave surfer.[2] He also appeared on Survivor 2023.[3]

Surfing career

Bennett was a strong swimmer as a child, learning to surf at age 17.[1]

He found success in surfing so began competing internationally.[4]

In 2018, Bennett represented England in the Adapted World Championships in La Jolla, placing 6th.[5]

Pegleg Bennett competed in the 2021 AmpSurf ISA World Para Surfing Championships representing England, the highest-level contest for para/adaptive surfing. England went on to place 7th, Pegleg making it to the semi-finals of his division.[6][7]

Bennett also works as a surfing instructor.[4]

Personal life

Born as Rick Bennett in 1969, Bennett was born without an ankle in his left leg, and as a result it was amputated when he was 13 months old.[1] He went by the nickname Pegleg throughout his childhood, eventually making the decision to make it his legal name in 2016.[8][9] Bennett resides in St Agnes in Cornwall, England.[2] He is married and has children and grandchildren.[1]

Survivor

Main article: Survivor (British series 3)

In October 2023, Bennett was announced as one of the 18 contestants chosen to compete on Survivor 2023,[10] missing 3 competitions to compete.[4] He was voted out on day 32, earning 5th place[11] becoming the 7th jury member. He voted for Matthew Haywood to win the season, which he did in a 6–1–1 vote.[12]

Other appearances

In 2018, Pegleg appeared in an episode of George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, living in a van.[5] Pegleg is an ambassador for Dryrobe.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "BBC Survivor: Pegleg, the fearless one-legged big wave surfer". 19 October 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b Oliver Vergnault (28 October 2023). "BBC Survivor: Pegleg, the fearless one-legged big wave surfer". Cornwall Live. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  3. ^ Mark Jefferies (14 October 2023). "BBC Survivor star changed name to Pegleg after having foot amputated as contestants revealed". Mirror. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Pegleg Bennett". Primal Information. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  5. ^ a b Hannah Maltwood (16 February 2018). "Surfing legend 'Pegleg' appeared on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Team England place an incredible 7th in the world and win 3 medals on global stage". Surfing England. 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  7. ^ Phil Williams (2021). "An Incredible Week of Surfing and Stoke". Surfing Girl Mag. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  8. ^ Mark Jefferies (3 November 2023). "EXCLUSIVE: BBC Survivor's Pegleg wanted 'physical challenge' to 'prove himself' after amputation". Mirror. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Pegleg Bennett – Adaptive Surf Legend". DryRobe. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  10. ^ Hannah Roberts (14 October 2023). "BBC Survivor line-up in full as one-legged surfer from St Agnes joins show". Cornwall Live. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Survivor UK Final Five reveal strategy secrets and explain why they believe they deserve to be Sole Survivor". BBC. 16 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  12. ^ Jeff Reines (16 December 2023). "Pegleg Surivor journey ends as Cornwall surfer voted off BBC reality show". Cornwall Live. Retrieved 16 December 2023.