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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, relying on flipper power alone. Wet suits are not compulsory, but are usually worn.

Contents 1 World Bog Snorkelling Championship 1.1 Results 2 World Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling Championship 3 External links 4 References

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. This year`s event was sponsored by London-based IT consultancy company SPMK.^[1] 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.

Proceeds from the championship go to a local charity each year. Charities include the Cystic Fibrosis Trust (2005), Motor Neurone Association (2006)^[2]

• Men's World Champion: Haydn Pitchforth (2006)1.42
• Men's World Champion: Iain Hawkes (2005)
• Men's World Champion: Phillip John (2002: 1.45 + 2003 + 2004 1:35!,( 4 seconds off previous record 2000+ still current fastest time)
• Men's World Champion: John Cantillon(2000) 1.39(5 seconds off previous record) undefeated
• Ladies` World Champion: TERRY AVERY(2004)
• Junior World Champion: Gareth Madelin (2003 + 2004)
• Local Champion: Nick Bridgeman (2004)
• Local Women's Champion: Becky Jones (2004)
• Slowest: Jason Bailey (2004)

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 tires being filled with water and the bike frame with lead.

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 "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.

• Official Event Web site
• Bog snorkelling images (BBC News)
• Online Bog Snorkelling Challenge (BBC News)
• New champion for bog snorkellers (BBC News)
• Bog snorkellers take the plunge (BBC News)
• Bog Snorkelling web site
• Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling
• The more recently established Bog Snorkelling Triathlon

1. ^ World Bog Snorkelling championships website
2. ^ The 2006 charity was chosen in memory of the Green Events Treasurer, Ron Skilton who died in December 2005.[1]