Divers from all over the world converged on a peat bog in Mid-Wales today to compete in the famed bog-snorkeling world championships, flooding the area.
On Sunday, August 28, the 34th Rude Health World Bogsnorkeling Championships were held at Llanwrtyd Wells. A bog snorkelling triathlon was also held there on Saturday.
The two events’ organisers touted that the athletes are vying for “one of the most coveted (in our opinion) championships in world sport.”
As divers dress up for the extreme sport, prizes are given out for the quickest dives to finish the 60-meter trench course as well as the best-dressed.
Bog divers who choose flair over speed may join the fancy dress section, which includes prizes for the finest costumes, according to Visit Wales.
A pantomime horse and a guy using an ironing board who was also participating in another odd international activity called “Extreme Ironing” were perhaps the two biggest challenges of the past.
The costumes worn by divers seem to become fancier every year.
This year, daring divers dressed as sharks, lifeguards, even Santa Claus before diving.
On his honeymoon in Wales, Canadian Andrew Tarver participated in the marathon while sporting a bride’s attire.
World Record holder Neil Rutter took first place in today’s event with a record of 1 minute, 18.82 seconds, set at the 2018 championships.
Although Mr. Rutter successfully defended his championship, he was unable to beat his own time record.
In 2018, he beat the previous World Record of 1 minute 22.56 seconds, which had been achieved in 2014 by Kirsty Johnson of Surrey. This year, he ran in 1 minute 21.78 seconds.
With a timing of 1 minute 42.22 seconds, Betsy Creak won the women’s competition.
Ian Maclachlan of South Africa won the title of Overseas Champion with a timing of 1 minute, 38.75 seconds.
Every year, more than 150 divers participate in the competition.
The worldwide competition’s 2019 bog snorkelers included participants from Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, and the United States.
It was listed as one of the top 50 “must-do” experiences in the world by Lonely Planet the same year.
The competition starts at roughly 10 a.m. in the Waen Rhydd bog, about a mile outside of Llanwrtyd Wells.
Llanwrtyd Wells claims to be the smallest town in all of Great Britain.
The bizarre event was initially envisioned at the Neuadd Arms in Llanwrtyd Wells, a neighbourhood bar.
According to Visit Wales, there is plenty of hospitality for attendees during the yearly event.
Around a mile outside of Llanwrtyd Wells, near the Waen Rhydd bog, a participant dives into the murky depths.
“As you’d expect from an event conceived in the neighbourhood pub, there are lots of genuine beers and cider (as well as plenty of food vendors, a bouncy castle, live music, and enough of them).”
The World Bog Series is only one of many peculiar athletic events that Green Events firm hosts annually near Llanwrtyd Wells.
The renowned Man vs Horse competition, their first event, started in 1980.