Brits Compete in Annual World Bog Snorkeling Championship

Every year during August Bank Holiday, over 100 contestants compete in what's commonly known as one of the strangest traditions in the U.K.: the World Bog Snorkeling Championships.

The annual competition takes place in the tiny town of Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales, and sees participants race through a muddy, 60-yard peat bog trench to see who can complete two lengths in the fastest time. In addition to it being, well, a bog, the water is cold and the conditions are described as "atrocious" by the YouTube channel Britclip.

The rules are simple. Competitors must wear a traditional snorkel, diving mask, and flippers—but using conventional swimming strokes will result in a disqualification. Though not required, participants are likewise strongly encouraged to wear a wetsuit.

Also not required, but seemingly encouraged, is for participants to come wearing costumes or otherwise accessorizing their masks and snorkels.

For the 35th annual contest this year, one swimmer completed the race with a giant plastic toad on their head while another flaunted a bathing cap decorated with flowers. Keeping in theme with the summer movie of 2023, one married couple, Louise and Shawn Palmer, even showed up to compete dressed as Barbie and Ken, complete with a "limited edition" cardboard box.

Unfortunately, no one managed to beat the previous record of 1 minute, 18.81 seconds, which was set current world record-holder Neil Rutter in 2018. The women's world record, set by Kirsty Johnson, has stood at 1 minute, 22.56 seconds, since 2014.

You can watch a clip from this year's wacky snorkeling competition, below.