Elmar Weiss’ Windmill Beard.

It’s that time of the year again: the International German Beard Championships. From the website:

The competition allows 16 categories of beards, the most popular one being freestyle because it sets no limits on creativity. One contestant came with a bushy beard shaped like a windmill. Contestants sporting Chinese-style beards — two long strands drooping down far below the chin, were virtually assured of an award because only a few men showed up with that particular style.

A beard can also be dangerous, though. One of this year’s winners, Willi Chevalier, injured himself a few years ago when his beard caught in a rotating drill. It could have been the end of his beard competition career but the insurance salesman and dance instructor had a lucky escape.

Master hairdresser Elmar Weisser, 41, had his sister help him form his beard into a windmill. It took four hours and 400 grams of gel.

Link | Previously on Neatorama: World’s Beard Champs.