On a breezy Sunday in late August, the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare played host to a spectacle as quirky as it was captivating: the first ever Seagull Screeching Championship, held at the Stacks Lounge in the heart of the Sovereign Shopping Centre. The event’s guest of honour and chief judge was none other than Cooper Wallace—better known to his legion of online fans as “Seagull Boy.” At just 11 years old, Cooper has managed to turn the art of seagull mimicry into an international sensation, and his presence at the event drew crowds eager to witness the phenomenon up close.
Cooper’s journey to viral fame began in 2024, when, as a nine-year-old, he stunned judges and audiences alike by winning the European Seagull Screeching Championship. His uncanny ability to channel the wild cries of the coastal bird, complete with flapping arms and a fluffy seagull costume, quickly caught the attention of television and radio stations across the globe. According to the BBC, his win was no fluke—he defended his title in April 2025, wowing the jury with a performance that scored an impressive 92 points out of a possible 100, with individual scores of 17, 18, and three 19s. As the crowd erupted into applause, Cooper grinned and offered a bonus impression of a “hungry” seagull, a nuance that set him apart from his competitors.
“I like how people are trying to make the world a better world by screeching,” Cooper remarked, reflecting on the joy and community spirit that these unusual contests inspire. For the young performer, the journey has been nothing short of surreal. “There were so many good people doing a really good noise, so it was very hard and quite scary to pick who was going to be the winner,” he admitted, speaking to the BBC about the challenge of judging the Weston-super-Mare event.
The championship was divided into two main contests: one for under-12s and another for teenagers and adults. Contestants arrived with their own motivations—some driven by curiosity, others by a competitive spirit, and at least one, Simon from Nailsea, with a touch of mischief. “My girlfriend entered me into it, who tells me I’m not allowed to do it when we’re out and about, but I just can’t help it,” Simon confessed, lozenge in hand as he prepared to give it his all.
The adult competition saw local resident Scott Milton take home the top prize, his screech rising above a chorus of hopefuls. The event’s organizers, including David Peters, the town’s tourism marketing officer, were thrilled with the turnout and the buzz surrounding the competition. “We saw Cooper on television and on the internet—he was all over the place,” Peters told the BBC. “Basically, as soon as we saw him, we just thought that we had to get him down to Weston-super-Mare. It is just such a fun event and he is so good at what he does that we just thought ‘this is so Weston’.”
Promotion for the event was handled with equal flair. In the days leading up to the championship, Weston-super-Mare AFC’s mascot, Sammy the Seagull, paraded through the town in his signature outfit, drumming up support and encouraging would-be contestants to sign up. Most did so via email, but a handful of last-minute spots were available for walk-ins on the morning of the event, ensuring that no aspiring screecher was left out.
Cooper’s rise to fame has brought with it a whirlwind of opportunities. Beyond the European Championship and his judging duties, he has been followed by a Korean film crew for three days as part of a documentary about seagulls, and even appeared on a German game show—where he walked away with €1,000 (about £867) for his talents. The Daily Mail reported that these experiences have transformed Cooper’s life, thrusting the once-ordinary schoolboy from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, into the limelight.
The championship itself was a celebration not just of avian mimicry, but of community and creativity. Children and adults alike took to the stage, some donning costumes, others simply relying on their vocal cords and nerves of steel. The atmosphere was lighthearted, but the competition was fierce. As the audience cheered and laughed, it was clear that the event had struck a chord—bringing together locals and visitors in a shared appreciation for the eccentric and the extraordinary.
For Cooper, the event was another feather in his cap (pun fully intended). He judged with a keen ear and a kind heart, encouraging participants and delighting in their efforts. His own journey from viral video to international guest of honour is a testament to the unpredictable power of the internet—and to the enduring appeal of a good, old-fashioned screech.
But what is it about seagull impressions that captures the public’s imagination? Perhaps it’s the nostalgia for seaside holidays, or the sheer silliness of grown adults and children alike trying to outdo each other in avian theatrics. Or maybe, as Cooper suggests, it’s about making the world a little brighter, one screech at a time. Whatever the reason, the Weston-super-Mare Seagull Screeching Championship proved that there’s room for joy, laughter, and a touch of absurdity—even in the most unexpected places.
As the sun set over the Somerset coast and the last echoes of seagull cries faded from the Stacks Lounge, organizers and participants alike were already looking forward to next year’s event. If the success of this inaugural championship is any indication, the tradition of seagull screeching is here to stay—thanks in no small part to the irrepressible spirit of Cooper Wallace, the original “Seagull Boy.”
