Thousands of onlookers watched Saturday from the West Sussex beach as eight birdmen jumped off the pier in hopes that their contraptions would carry them through the air, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

The first attempted flier, Dean Gunn, a former Royal Air Force pilot, made it only 30.5 yards in his "Fetcham Flyer" before plunging into the water, the newspaper said.

Hang gliding instructor Ron Freeman, 52 -- who has taken part in the competition 11 times -- flew 94.49 yards before hitting the water, the longest distance of the day, the Argus reported.

No one has ever won the competition's $60,000 jackpot for flying 109.4 yards, the Telegraph said.