And for this week’s quota of strange festivals, we’ve come across the infamous World Bog Snorkeling Championship. Yes, you read that right – A highly competitive swimming competition set in the muddiest and nastiest bogs of Wales.

Snorkeling is supposed one of those touristy things you do, when you’re on a luxurious vacation in the Bahamas. Not for these guys, though.

Amidst the grassy fields of Wales a bog snorkeling championship is held, one of the many odd outdoor events of the region. Sandy beaches and blue waters are replaced by misty skies, muck and brown water. The festival takes place in the quaint little town of Llanwrtyd Wells, a place you must visit if you’re into checking out strange festivals. If you do plan on taking part, prepare yourself for unpleasant sights and smells, but always remember you will be treated to a hot shower at the end of the day.

Joanna Parker celebrates finishing in the World Bog Snorkelling Championships at Waen Rhydd bog on the outskirts of LLanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales August 24, 2014. The annual event, where competitors swim in a marshy trench with flippers and a snorkel, brings together participants from all over the world, including France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and Canada. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ORG XMIT: RLN11

Joanna Parker celebrates finishing in the World Bog Snorkelling Championships at Waen Rhydd bog on the outskirts of LLanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales August 24, 2014. The annual event, where competitors swim in a marshy trench with flippers and a snorkel, brings together participants from all over the world, including France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and Canada. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden (BRITAIN – Tags: SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ORG XMIT: RLN11

Since 1732, this town became a tourist hotspot for travellers interested in spas and spa clture. A Revernd Theophilus Evans discovered medicinal qualities of the sulfuric sping of the town, thus making it a spa destination.Apart from big snorkeling there are other sport events you can take part in like mountain bike chariot racing and moutain bike bog snorkeling as well.

So the competition expects competitors to race through 60 yard trences, twice, who are also expected to come equipped with a maskr, flippers, a snorkel and goggles. Usual swimming techniques like the butterfly or crawl aren’t allowed, making your flipper power the only way you can win this contest.

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