Bog snorkelling is a sporting event that consists of competitors completing two consecutive lengths of a water-filled trench cut through a peat bog in the shortest time possible. Competitors must wear snorkels and flippers and complete the course without using conventional swimming strokes, relying on flipper power alone. A wetsuit is not compulsory, but is often worn.
The length of the trench is 60 yards (55 m) (traversed twice for a course of 120 yards (110 m)).
The current World Record Holder, Paddy Lambe finished the Irish Championship event in a time of 1:19 in September 2016.
The activity of bog snorkelling was started in 1976 near Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, United Kingdom. It began as a result of an over-the-bar conversation in The Neuadd Arms between Gordon Green and a few regulars.
The World Bog Snorkelling Championship, first held in 1985, takes place annually every August Bank Holiday at the dense Waen Rhydd peat bog, near Llanwrtyd Wells in mid Wales. In 2014 Kirsty Johnson broke the previous world record set by Dineka Maguire in 2013. Kirsty's time was 1:22.56 secs. The World and Men's Champion for 2016 is Daniel Norman in a time of 1.26.38. The Ladies Champion in 1.33.10, Anna Lohman, is also the reigning Swedish champion. Paddy Lambe, the 2016 Irish champion set a time at the Irish Bog Snorkelling Championships in September 2016 of 1:19 which set a new world record for Bog Snorkelling. The Irish event in 2016 was also the first time a brother and sister won the national championship in the same year. Moira Lambe (Paddys sister) won the ladies event in the same year.
Other bog snorkelling events take place, particularly in Wales (but also in Australia, Ireland, and Sweden). Associated events include the associated mountain bike bog snorkelling (where competitors must ride through the bog on specially prepared mountain bikes), and the Bog Snorkelling Triathlon (a 120-yard (110 metre) swim, a 19-mile (31 kilometre) bike ride and a 7.5 mile (12.1 kilometre) run).
Proceeds from the championship go to a local charity each year. Charities include the Cystic Fibrosis Trust (2005) and the Motor Neurone Association (2006). The 2006 charity was chosen in memory of the Green Events Treasurer, Ron Skilton, who died in December 2005.
Men
2016 - World Champion : Daniel Norman : 1 min 26.38 secs
2015 - World Champion : Haydn Pitchforth : 1 min 26.00 secs
2014 - World Champion : Craig Pedley ; 1min 33.25 secs
2013 - World Champion : David Williams : 1 min 32.68 secs
2012 - World Champion : Richard Addis : 1 min 26 secs (New world record)
2011 – World Champion : Andrew Holmes : 1 min 29 secs
2010 – World Champion: Dan Morgan : 1 min 30.06 secs
2009 – World Champion : Conor Murphy : 1 min 42.30 secs
2008 – World Champion : Conor Murphy : 1 min 38.09 secs
2007 – World Champion : Robert Liscoe : 1 min 43 secs
2006 – World Champion : Haydn Pitchforth : 1 min 41.42 secs
2005 – World Champion : Iain Hawkes : 1 min 46.03 secs
2004 – World Champion : Phillip John : 1 min 38 secs
2003 – World Champion : Phillip John : 1 min 35.46 secs
2002 – World Champion : Phillip John : 1 min 45 secs
2001 – cancelled due to Foot and Mouth Disease
2000 – World Champion : John Cantillon : 1 min 39 secs
1999 – World Champion : Peter Owen : 1 min 52 secs
1998 – World Champion : Craig Napper : 1 min 53 secs
1997 – World Champion : Peter Beaumont : 1 min 44 secs
1996 – World Champion : Jonathan Maiden : 2 min 12 secs
1995 – Cancelled due to drought
1994 – World Champion : Stephen Madelin
Women
2016 - Female World Champion : Anna Lohman ( SWE) 1min33.10 secs
2015 - Female World Champion : Eva Jonasson (Swe) 1min 31.03 secs
2014 - Female World Champion : Kirsty Johnson 1min 22.56 secs (New world record and current record for both sexes)
2013 - Female World Champion : Dineka Maguire 1 min 23.13 secs
2012 – Female World Champion : Dineka Maguire 1 min 26.97 secs
2011 – Female World Champion : Dineka Maguire
2010 – Female World Champion : Dineka Maguire : 1 min 31.90 secs
2009 – Female World Champion : Laura Smith : 1 min 51.00 secs
2008 – Female World Champion : Kirsty Brown : 1 min 53.12 secs
2007 – Female World Champion : Joanne Pitchforth : 1 min 35.18 secs
2006 – Female World Champion : Alexis Howe : 1 min 45 secs
2005 – Female World Champion : Heidi French : 1 min 48.65secs
2004 – Female World Champion : Terry Avery
2000 – Female World Champion : Joanne Wallace
1998 - Female World Champion : Clare Davies
Junior
2016 - Junior World Champion : Tom Murphy 1 min 41.00
2015 - Junior World Champion : Megan Davies 1 min 54.84
2014 - Junior World Champion : Emma Pitchforth 1 min 26.81 (World record for Juniors)
2013 - Junior World Champion : Jack Everist
2012 – Junior World Champion : Dineka Maguire 1 min 26.97 secs
2011 – Junior World Champion : Dineka Maguire
2010 – Junior World Champion : John Lydeard
2009 – Junior World Champion : Beccy Lord 1 min 41.56 secs
2008 – Junior World Champion : Laura Smith 1 min 51.21 secs
2007 – Junior World Champion : George Murphy 1 min 35 secs
2006 – Junior World Champion : William Schofield 1 min 48 secs
2005 – Junior World Champion :
2004 – Junior World Champion : Gareth Madelin
2003 – Junior World Champion : Gareth Madelin
1999 – Junior World Champion : Joanne Wallace 1 min 53 secs
1997 – Junior World Champion : Al Hudson
1996 - Junior World Champion :
Children's
2016 - Children's World Champion : Tilly Smith : 2 min 14.24 secs (World record for children)
Local Men's
2016 - Local Champion ; Adrian Matthew
2015 -Local Champion : Alex Creak
2010 – Local Champion : Tony Bain
2004 – Local Champion : Nick Bridgeman
Local Women's
2016 - Local Women's Champion : Betsy Creak
2010 – Local Women's Champion : Kelly Fuller
2004 – Local Women's Champion : Becky Jones
