A new record time has been set in the annual world bog snorkelling championships in Powys, Andrew Holmes from Halifax, West Yorkshire, taking less than 90 seconds to complete two lengths of a 55m trench and smash the previous record, set last year by Brecon’s Dan Morgan, by more than six seconds.
More than 100 people took part in this year’s event at Llanwrtyd Wells. Contestants are allowed to use flippers but must avoid conventional swimming strokes when negotiating the water-filled trenches. Wet suits are not compulsory but are invariably, wisely, worn by most competitors.
The bog snorkelling championships started 25 years ago after a group of locals got together in a pub brainstorming session to find new ways of raising funds for charity.