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Bog Snorkeling?
We have a bog in Delta and it’s known around the world, but I for one have never thought of going for a swim in it just to say – I did it. I only dared to do it because I’ve previously been on a captain cook snorkeling tour and that was dangerous enough.
Well in another day and time there is such a thing of Bog Snorkeling which is held each August along the dense Waen Rhydd Peat bog near Llanwrtyd Wells, in Powys, Wales.
Bog snorkeling was conceived or started in 1976 as many great ideas over what else – a pint of beer at the local pub, with the first World Bog Snorkeling Championship held in 1985.
They are entering the 29th year for this strange event, but for those who take part think this is better that other sports, but that’s left up to each individual.
The race runs along a 55 m or 60 yard bog trench that see’s each of the contestants complete two full lengths of the course.
Conventional style swimming strokes are not allowed, but snorkels and flippers are mandatory, and wet suits are optional but advisable, sort of the same as wearing skates with no socks.
There are however competitions held in both Men’s, Ladies and Junior categories of the competition, which attracts up to 150 entrants.
In 2011 a new champion emerged. Andrew Holmes of West Yorkshire smashed the existing record for the return lap along the bog, finishing in 84 seconds, beating the old record by a whopping 6 seconds.
In 2009 Bryan Evans from Bridgend in South Wales set a new world record in the World Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling Championships to the surprise of many competitors and organizers.
He completed the two lengths of the 135-foot murky bog in 54.91 seconds to put himself into the Guinness Book of World Records.