Nadine Deetens Belgian champion shrimp shells

The first edition of the Belgian shrimp peeling championship took place during the shrimp festivals in Oostduinkerke. The initiative comes from the Royal Order of Horse Fishermen. The assignment is: to peel as many of the small sea creatures as possible in ten minutes.

The West Flemish Nadine Deetens peeled 100 grams of gray North Sea shrimps before the clock expired. She trumped triple world champion Kathy Vanmassenhove from Wenduine. That world championship has been around for a long time, 15 years across the border in Leffrinckoucke in northern France.

What is the secret of the new laureate? “Keep calm,” says Nadine. She has been peeling since childhood and sometimes gains 50 kg per week. “I didn’t think I would beat the world champion,” she says. “But I am very proud of myself.”

The youngest participant in the Belgian Championship, Tibe De Pelecyn, was only 12 years old.