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

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

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, mask 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

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 England, Wales, Ireland, Germany, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the US.[2][4]

Llanwrtyd Wells location map

Other bog snorkelling events take place, particularly in Wales, but also in Australia, Ireland, and Sweden. Associated events include mountain bike bog snorkelling where competitors must ride through the bog on specially prepared mountain bikes, and the Bog Snorkelling Triathlon, which consists of a 60-yard (110-metre) snorkel, a 12-mile (31 kilometre) bike ride and an 8-mile run.[10][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]

Results
Men's world champions
YearChampionTime (min + secs)
2019Neil Rutter1 min 21.78 secs
2018Neil Rutter1 min 18.81 secs (WR)[9]
2017Neil Rutter1 min 26.15 secs
2016Daniel Norman1 min 26.38 secs
2015Haydn Pitchforth1 min 26.00 secs
2014Craig Pedley1min 33.25 secs
2013David Williams1 min 32.68 secs
2012Richard Addis1 min 26 secs
2011Andrew Holmes1 min 29 secs (former course record) [11]
2010Dan Morgan1 min 30.06 secs (former course record)[12]
2009Conor Murphy1 min 42.30 secs
2008Conor Murphy1 min 38.09 secs
2007Robert Liscoe1 min 43 secs
2006Haydn Pitchforth1 min 41.42 secs
2005Iain Hawkes1 min 46.03 secs
2004Phillip John1 min 38 secs
2003Phillip John1 min 35.46 secs (FWR)[3]
2002Phillip John1 min 45 secs [4]
2001-cancelled due to Foot and Mouth Disease
2000John Cantillon1 min 39 secs (FWR)[2][4]
1999Peter Owen1 min 52 secs
1998Craig Napper1 min 53 secs
1997Peter Beaumont1 min 44 secs (FWR)[2]
1996Jonathan Maiden2 min 12 secs
1995-Cancelled due to drought
1994Stephen Madelin
1993Sian Evans
1992Janet Tyler
1991Sian Evans
1990Sian Evans
1989Stephen Madelin
Women's world champions
2019Betsy Creak1 min 42.22 secs
2018Elinor MacCormac1 min 48.46 secs
2017Jess Fidler1 min 41.87 secs
2016Anna Lohman (Swe)1 min 33.10 secs
2015Eva Jonasson (Swe)1 min 31.03 secs
2014Kirsty Johnson1 min 22.56 secs (FWR)[7]
2013Dineka Maguire1 min 23.13 secs (FWR)[6]
2012Dineka Maguire1 min 26.97 secs (former women's and junior record)
2011Dineka Maguire
2010Dineka Maguire1 min 31.90 secs
2009Laura Smith1 min 51.00 secs
2008Kirsty Brown1 min 53.12 secs
2007Joanne Pitchforth1 min 35.18 secs
2006Alexis Howe1 min 45 secs
2005Heidi French1 min 48.65secs
2004Terry Avery
2002Gemma Davies2 min 3 secs [4]
2000Daria Kokoszko
1998Clare Davies

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. "World Bog Snorkelling Championship". Archived from the original on 15 November 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  11. "Andrew Holmes sets new world bog snorkelling record". BBC News. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  12. "Llanwrtyd Wells bog snorkel has new world record time". BBC News. 29 August 2010.
  13. "Stamps: Cheese rolling, gurning and bog snorkelling on new UK stamps". BBC. 9 July 2019.
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