Bizarre Sports in Britain - The World Bog Snorkelling Championships

Llanwrtydd Wells-Britain's Smallest Town Hosts the Bog Snorkelling Championship

• What: A mad swim, with flippers, mask and snorkel, through a channel cut in a Welsh bog.
• When: August Bank Holiday Weekend
• Where: The Waen Rhydd Bog, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys in Mid-Wales, Britain's smallest town.
• Contact Green Events Ltd. +44 (0)1591 610850 or the Tourist Information Center +44 (0)1591 610666
• Admission: Entrance fee for participants
• Website

Whatever would possess sane, grown men and women - and kids from 14 years up - to make them don flippers, mask and snorkel and jump into a channel cut into a peat bog to go bog snorkelling? Your guess is as good as mine, but the World Bog Snorkelling Championship, held on private farmland in Wales is one of the August Bank Holiday's more bizarre (and bizarrely popular) events.

Fans of extreme, not to mention extremely dirty, sports flock to Llanwrtyd Wells, officially Britain's smallest town, at the end of August to take part. Two 60 yard long trenches are cut in the bog and participants have to swim 120 yards. No recognized swimming strokes are allowed and swimmers can only lift their heads from the dark waters for orientation.

Prizes are awarded for men, women and local juniors as well as best fancy dress. Oh yes, forgot to mention that: though not required, many participants dress up in costumes - what the British call "fancy dress". Everyone who enters gets a well deserved medal.

And Now, Bog Triathlon

Bog snorkelling has become so popular in Llanwrtyd Wells that, since 2005, a second event, the World Bog Snorkelling Triathlon takes place in July. That involves a cross country run, followed by a bog swim and finished with a mountain bike ride.