Shropshire Star

Swampy snorkellers go for glory in championship

While most of us were out at the garden centre or having a barbecue, some decided to strip down to their swimsuits and snorkel in a bog.

Published
A competitor in the World Bog Snorkelling Championships

The annual World Bog Snorkelling Championships were held at Llanwryyd Wells with more than 100 people swimming through a swamp with only a snorkel and flippers for help.

This crazy phenomenon has been going on for the last 32 years and hundreds travelled to the Waen Rhydd bog to give it a go and to watch the swampy shennanigans.

Gordon Green, 80, founded the competition 30 years ago when he ran The Neuadd Arms pub in the town as a way of encouraging tourism.

And it's not just for people - as swamp swimmer Angela Jones let her dog Jack have a go too.

People generally wear fancy dress for the occasion - as well as the customary snorkel and flippers too.

There was even a Donald Trump mannequin watching the day's events - although he opted to stay dry and just spectate.

The muddy waters don't seem to put people off with more than 150 people giving it a go.

A 60 yard trench is cut through the bog, which fills with water. Competitors have to swim two lengths under water using flippers and a snorkel, with prizes for the fastest.

It's all part of the World Alternative Games which also included Ditch Racing, Wife Carrying and Belly Flopping.

There were plenty of smiles during the event that was described by Lonely Planet as one of the top 50 "must do" things from around the world.

The current World Champion is Daniel Norman who achieved a time of one minute 26.38 seconds in the 2016 championships.