One of the most unique sporting world championships took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend in Mid Wales. 

Nearly 200 participants took the plunge at the annual World Bog Snorkelling Championships on Sunday, August 25, in Llanwrtyd Wells.

Despite the dismal weather, competitors travelled from all over the world to take part. People from the USA, Zimbabwe, France, Serbia, Australia, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and The Republic of Ireland all made the effort to have a go at this unique event.

This year’s event proved to be a competitive one, though no one challenged the record time set last year of 1 minute 12.34 seconds for the 120-yard course.

Competitors complete a timed swim of 120 yards in a peat bog that is 60 yards long with the use of a snorkel.

Participants cannot use usual swim techniques, they must kick with their feet without the use of their arms, unless they choose to ‘doggy paddle.’ 

This year’s overall champion was Sian Clement from Aberavon. Sian finished in a time of 1 min 29.33 seconds.

New World Champion, Sian Clement
New World Champion, Sian Clement (Copyright: Sian Clement) (.)

The second female was Anne Christianson from the USA. Anne was also the first international female.

Third in the women’s category was Sophie Allen.

The first male bogsnorkeller was Thomas Howells from Cheltenham with a time of 1 minute 29.78 seconds. Ian Mulcahy from Cardiff was second coming in at a time of 1 minute 30.80 seconds, and Adrian Sandstrom from Sweden was third. Adrian also won the first junior male and first male international prizes.

In the over 50s category Chris Alder was the first male with a time of 1 minute 45.34 seconds and the first female was Annette Daly from Zimbabwe at 1 minute 42.00 seconds.

There were some fantastic costumes in the fancy dress section which kept many amused throughout the course of the day.

On the previous day the “Bogathlon” was held, which is a muddy version of a sprint triathlon consisting of a 60-yard swim, two-mile cross country cycle and a one-mile run over very difficult terrain. Ms Arundhati Wuppalapati was the first female, with Euan Mortlock winning the male category.