Over 130 take plunge in bog snorkelling championships

Dozens of swimmers braved murky waters of a peat bog to take part in the 30th World Bog Snorkelling Championships.

The wacky competition saw around 130 competitors from across the world, some in fancy dress, descend on Waen Rhydd Bog on the outskirts of Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, mid-Wales.

They were cheered on by hundreds of spectators who were enjoying the August bank holiday ritual.

There are strict rules enforced by organisers as competitors swim two lengths of the 55-metre (180ft) trench as quickly as possible, keeping their faces in the dirty water and relying on a snorkle to breath.

They can only use doggy paddle as front crawl and breast stroke are banned by organisers, as are mono-fins and webbed gloves. Most choose to wear wetsuits but some hardy types do without.

The event regularly attracts participants from across the world, including France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand the United States and Japan.

The current world record holder is Kirsty Johnson, 33, from Surrey, who set the record last year at one minute and 22.56 seconds – beating the previous best by 0.15 seconds.

This year serial bog snorkeller Haydn Pitchforth, from Leeds, regained his world title in a time of one minute and 26 seconds – four seconds quicker than his nearest rival.

Next year organisers are hosting the third bi-annual World Alternative Games, which sees events such as underwater rugby, wife carrying, husband dragging and office chair racing, held over two weeks.