Why Is the World Bog Snorkelling Championship a "Must-Do" Event?

If you’ve got some free time this August and fancy attending one of the world’s oddest sporting events, consider heading to the town of Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales for the 35th Annual World Bog Snorkelling Championship. Just don't forget to pack a snorkel, mask, and flippers.

Once described by Lonely Planet as a “Must-Do” activity, the event attracts participants and spectators from all over the world. The race has taken place at the Waen Rhydd bog annually since the mid-1980s, though it was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19. The goal is to traverse two lengths of a water-filled trench measuring 60 yards (55 m) as quickly as possible. Cut into a peat bog, the trench is about three feet deep and the muddy water is pretty much opaque. Competitors can’t use traditional swimming strokes – the power must come from their flippers.

Participants of any age and skill level (there's a category for teenagers and one for over-50's) are invited to take part in the championship. Many participants dress up, appearing as superheroes, Ninja Turtles, sharks, mermaids, and more, and prizes are awarded for the best costumes alongside the fastest finishers. With entertainment and food and drink stalls set up for the event, it's a quirky and welcoming atmosphere that embraces the spirit of breaking out of your comfort zone to try something new – however strange that thing may be.

Take the plunge: