2023 World Champion Neil Rutter 1 min 12.34 secs
Current World Record Holder (2023) Neil Rutter 1 min 12.34 secs

The 36th annual World Bog Snorkelling Championships - an event that Lonely Planet described as one of the top 50 "must do" things from around the world - were held on Sunday 27th August 2023 in Llanwrtyd Wells. More than 150 participants from around the world took part on a mild, dry late summer's day.

The World Champion and World Record holder, Neil Rutter, obliterated his former record of 1 minute 18.82 second, set in the 2018 championships, by nearly 6.5 seconds! Before Neil, the previous World Record was 1 minute 22.56 seconds set in 2014 by Kirsty Johnson from Lightwater in Surrey.

The Ladies Champion of 2023 was Camilla Davies with a time of 1 minute 36.78 seconds and the Overseas Champion was Maria Gotesson from Sweden with a time of 1 minute 38.90 seconds.

In 2023 the bog snorkellers included participants from Sweden, Serbia, Eire, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Norway, South Africa, Germany, Italy and the USA, making this a truly international world championship.

You don't have to chase the World Record to have fun, fancy dress is an important element as well. As Neil Rutter said after his 2023 win: "It is, as it's intended, a completely mad, daft environment. It's not meant for anyone like me to be taking it seriously. and the fact that I do makes me the idiot in the situation".

The event takes place at Waen Rhydd bog on the outskirts of the town, getting underway at about 10am. The site is signposted from the town for those who don't mind about a mile walk, and there is also a free shuttle bus running from the town square to the bog and back throughout the day, beginning as soon as we can manage after 9am. There are food and drink stalls, crafts, live music and a real ale and cider bar on the site, so it's a great day out even if you don't fancy taking the plunge. There is a small charge for parking at the bog site.

Online entries close 7 days before the event, though you can enter on the day. Entry fees are £20 for seniors (aged over 16) and £12 for juniors (aged 14 to 15).