Pegleg Bennett Explained

Birth Name:Rick Bennett
Residence:St Agnes, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom

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

Surfing career

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

He found success in surfing so began competing internationally.[3]

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

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.[4] [5]

Bennett also works as a surfing instructor.

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.[6] He went by the nickname Pegleg throughout his childhood, eventually making the decision to make it his legal name in 2016.[7] Bennett resides in St Agnes in Cornwall, England. He is married and has children and grandchildren.

Survivor

See main article: Survivor (British series 3). In October 2023, Bennett was announced as one of the 18 contestants chosen to compete on Survivor 2023,[8] missing 3 competitions to compete. He was voted out on day 32, earning 5th place[9] becoming the 7th jury member. He voted for Matthew Haywood to win the season, which he did in a 6–1–1 vote.[10]

Other appearances

In 2018, Pegleg appeared in an episode of George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, living in a van.[11] Pegleg is an ambassador for Dryrobe.[12]

Notes and References

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