Bog snorkelling

Bog snorkelling is a sporting event where competitors aim to complete two consecutive lengths of a 60 yards (55 m) water-filled trench cut through a peat bog in the shortest time possible, wearing traditional snorkel, diving mask and flippers. They complete the course without swimming, relying on flipper power alone.

Bog snorkelling
Competitor of the World Bog Snorkelling Championship
First played1976, Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, United Kingdom
Characteristics
Team membersNo
Mixed-sexYes, but in separate leagues
TypeOutdoor, aquatic
VenueWater-filled trench cut through a peat bog

The women's world record stands at 1 minute 22.56 seconds by Kirsty Johnson in 2014. The men's world record was set by Neil Rutter in 2018, with a time of 1 min 18.81 seconds. Both were set at the Waen Rhydd bog, Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales.

Rules
  • A water-filled trench 60 yards (55 m) in length must be cut through a peat bog by the organisers.[1]
  • Competitors must wear snorkels, masks and flippers.[1]
  • A wetsuit is not compulsory, but is often worn.[1]
  • Bog snorkelling competitors must traverse two consecutive lengths totalling 120 yards (110 m) in the shortest time possible.[1]
  • The course must be completed without using conventional swimming strokes, relying on flipper power alone.[1]

World record history
TimeRecord holderLocation and date
1 min 44 secWales Peter Beaumont of WalesWaen Rhydd bog, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales in 1997.[2]
1 min 39 secRepublic of Ireland John Cantillon of DublinLlanwrtyd Wells 2000.[2]
1 min 35.46 secWales Philip JohnLlanwrtyd Wells 2003.[3][4]
1 min 34 secEngland Casey Squibb from Dorset, EnglandAlice's Loft & Cottages, Doohamlet, Castleblayney, County Monaghan in 2009.[5]
1 min 28 secNorthern Ireland Connor Murphy from Portadown, County Armagh, Northern IrelandDoohamlet, later the same day in 2009.[5]
1 min 23.13 secNorthern Ireland Dineka Maguire from Northern IrelandLlanwrtyd Wells 2013.[6]
1 min 22.56 secEngland Kirsty Johnson (Current women's world record)Llanwrtyd Wells 24 August 2014.[7]
1 min 19 secRepublic of Ireland Paddy Lambe from Castleblayney, County MonaghanIrish Bog Snorkelling Championship 2016
(His sister Moira Lambe also won the ladies' event.)[8]
1 min 18.81 sec'England Neil Rutter (Current world record)Llanwrtyd Wells 26 August 2018.[9]

World Bog Snorkelling Championship

The World Bog Snorkelling Championship, first held in 1985, takes place every August Bank Holiday in the dense Waen Rhydd peat bog, near Llanwrtyd Wells in mid Wales.[1] Competitors travel from as far afield as Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Wales and the US.[2][4][10]

Llanwrtyd Wells location map

Other bog snorkelling events take place, particularly in Wales, but also in Australia, Ireland, and Sweden. These include the Bog Snorkelling Triathlon, which consists of a 120 yards (110 metres) snorkel, a 19 miles (31 kilometres) bike ride and a 7+1⁄2 miles (12.1 km) run.[11][6]

World Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling Championship

Proceeds from the World Championship go to a local charity each year. Past recipients include the Cystic Fibrosis Trust (2005) and the Motor Neurone Association (2006). The 2006 charity was chosen in memory of the Green Events treasurer, Ron Skilton, who died in December 2005.[3]

References
  1. Galván, Javier A. (19 June 2014). They Do What? A Cultural Encyclopedia of Extraordinary and Exotic Customs from around the World: A Cultural Encyclopedia of Extraordinary and Exotic Customs from around the World. ABC-CLIO. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-61069-342-4.
  2. "Bog snorkellers set new world record". BBC News. 28 August 2000.
  3. "The 2007 event". llanwrtyd-wells.powys.org.uk. 2006. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007.
  4. "Schoolboy is champion bog snorkeller". BBC. 26 August 2002.
  5. "Irish Bog Snorkelling (2009) World Record Smashed Twice!! 1st ever Irish Bog Snorkelling Championships a Huge Success". Archived from the original on 22 July 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  6. "Teenager in bog snorkelling record". Belfast Telegraph. 25 August 2013.
  7. "Fastest time to complete Women's World Bog Snorkelling". guinnessworldrecords.com. 2020.
  8. "Mayhem in the muck at bog snorkelling championship - Independent.ie". Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  9. "Fastest time to complete Men's World Bog Snorkelling". guinnessworldrecords.com. 2020.
  10. "Rude Health World Bog Snorkelling Championship 2022". green-events.co.uk. 27 August 2022.
  11. "World Bog Snorkelling Championship". Archived from the original on 15 November 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  12. "Stamps: Cheese rolling, gurning and bog snorkelling on new UK stamps". BBC. 9 July 2019.
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