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The 2009 Annual World Bog Snorkeling Championship took place on Monday, August 31, 2009, at Waen Rhydd peat bog just outside Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales. Boasting of being the smallest town in the United Kingdom, it manages to put on some big and frankly strange competitions to attract visitors and entertain the locals. Bog Snorkeling, and Bicycle Races in the Bog in the summer, and in the winter, Mountain Bike Chariot Races are a few that appeal to the hardy. These Green Events are increasingly popular. Only slightly less demanding, but longer, are the Hill Walks. A fairly new resident of the community told me that he had lived in a town ten times the size of Llanwrtyd Wells, but that it didn’t have nearly the variety of activities as his new home does.

Due to unrelenting rain, spectators and contestants alike ended up being wet in a short time. Approximately 200 people from around the world were expected to compete in the various races this year.

Bog Snorkeling competitors attempt to complete two lengths of one of the two 60-yard muddy, boggy water-filled trenches cut through the peat bog in as short a time as possible. They must wear a snorkel and flippers, and complete the course without using standard swimming strokes. Some competitors are serious and may come long distances to compete. Others do it for the fun and the chance to don fancy dress or wetsuits on a holiday weekend. A number entered the water with a splash and some strange words, and exited complaining of having swallowed lumpy bog water during the race. Spectators stand at the edge of the bog in the soggy field, and were generally in Wellies, whereas the contestants tended to slog around barefooted.

Despite the rain and muddy bog, everyone spent the day snorkeling and/or cheering the contestants. The Brits are hardy souls who love a good time