Bog snorkelling: Encyclopedia - Bog snorkelling

Bog snorkelling

Bog Snorkelling is a sporting event that consists of competitors completing two consecutive lengths of a 60-yard water filled trench cut through a peat bog, in the shortest time possible. Competitors must wear snorkels and flippers, and complete the course without using conventional swimming strokes. Wet suits are not compulsory, but are usually worn.

The World Bog Snorkelling Championship takes place annually every August Bank Holiday at the dense Waen Rhydd peat bog, near Llanwrtyd Wells in mid Wales, and was first held in 1985.

Phillip John of Bridgend was the champion male bog snorkeller for the years 2002 to 2004 inclusive, but was defeated by Ian Hawkes on August 29, 2005. Abigail James was the champion female bog snorkeller, and Gareth Madelin the champion junior bog snorkeller, for the years 2003 and 2004.

Other bog snorkelling events take place, particularly in Wales, including the associated mountain bike bog snorkelling (where competitors must ride through the bog on specially prepared mountain bikes), and the Bog Snorkelling Triathlon.

The World Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling Championship first took place in 2000. Although no event was run in 2001, since then, it has been a yearly event. The special preparation for the bikes consists of the tyres being filled with lead and water.

The Bog Snorkelling Triathlon was inaugurated in 2005. The first event took place on 10 July, and was sponsored by Young's Bitter. The event consists of a run of approximately 12 miles, a bog snorkel of approximately 120 yards through the world famous Bog Trench and a 25 mile mountain bike ride. There is both an individual and a team relay event.

A Northern Ireland bog snorkelling championship takes place in Dungannon, in County Tyrone.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Bog snorkelling", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki