h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Takes place in fenlands of East Anglia. People don wet suiuts and snorkles and swim up course laid out amongst the drainage ditches in the fens. As these are very muddy the mask is only worn to protect the eyes you have no chance of seeing you hand in front of your face.

*Bog snorkelling* as it is known in the midlands is also practiced. Similar idea - snorkel, mask and flippers are donned, and progress is made at full speed through a peat bog.

*Why* would anyone do such a thing though? Why?

I believe it originated in mid Wales - where there's no shortage of dingy bogs. The latest variation is doing it on a bicycle.

Picture in todays metro (meant to save it) showing the winner of the bog snorkelling championships, head just above the ditch, mask and snorkel on. I think it must have been as he started as his mask and wetsuit hood were clean

There are only three peat bogs that can be used for bog snorkelling in Mid Wales. These are on the Waen Rhydd land just outside lLanwrtyd Wells. The two 60yds length ones are used for the World Championships in August. and also for the Bog Snorkelling Triathlon in July.

The other trench on the site is the one used for official World Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling in July, this one is 45yds in length, and a little deeper to accomadate the specially prepared bike.

Because of SSSI regulations, there can be no other trenches dug on peat land.

It would seem that the idea has been picked up by other areas, however, they are not in any way as authentic as snorkelling through a peat bog!!