The world record time for bog snorkelling was smashed today.
The 26th World Bog Snorkelling Championships saw around 110 competitors take to the “water” at the Waen Rhydd Bog.
And last year’s record time for swimming two lengths of a 55m trench was shattered by more than six seconds.
Dan Morgan’s time of 90.66 seconds, set by the Brecon man last year, was destroyed by Andrew Holmes, from Halifax in West Yorkshire. Morgan could only finish third as the top three finishers all broke last year’s record.
It means the record time for the madcap sport has fallen by almost 14 seconds in the last two years.
Lindsay Ketteringham, chairman of championship organiser Green Events, said the speed of competitors through the brackish waters was down mainly to technique.
“It’s definitely down to technique in there, to be able to snorkel when you cannot see where you are going, and you don’t want to be taking a mouthful of the water. And you have to be good with flippers because there is no recognised swimming strokes allowed.”
Run by a team of volunteers, the annual competition is part of a roster of eccentric events held throughout the year at Llanwrtyd Wells, the UK’s smallest town, in Powys, Wales.
It also hosts the Man Versus Horse Marathon and a bog snorkelling triathlon.
The same two trenches, home to fish and insects, including the harmless but nasty-sounding water scorpions, are used every year, and Mr Ketteringham said conditions had been decent this year, with nothing worse than a few showers.
World record smashed
World record smashed
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: World record smashed
Personal hygene isn't their strong suit, is it?Gob wrote:"... and Mr Ketteringham said conditions had been decent this year, with nothing worse than a few showers.
yrs,
rubato
Re: World record smashed
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: World record smashed
It must be terribly validating to have the BBC show up and ACTUALLY TAKE PICTURES!
It'll be in the Olympics in two or three hundred years at this rate; if we're not all dead and ruled over by a master race of cockroaches by then.
yrs,
rubato
It'll be in the Olympics in two or three hundred years at this rate; if we're not all dead and ruled over by a master race of cockroaches by then.
yrs,
rubato
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Sue U
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Re: World record smashed
I'm just grateful I didn't have to look up "bog snorkeling" in the Urban Dictionary.
GAH!
Re: World record smashed
Already knew or afraid of what else might find
Okay... There's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said.
Re: World record smashed
Is there really any reason for snorkeling in the bog? Other than getting out of it as soon as possible?
...it's not for the sterling photos of colorful fish and corral, for example?
...it's not for the sterling photos of colorful fish and corral, for example?