On our Roxy facebook page we get messages from fans from all over the world. Last week we got an interesting message from a fan who lived in Wales named Laura Smith. This past summer, Laura was crowned Junior World Champion of Bog Snorkelling. She wore a Roxy rashie while she was competing and wanted to let us know about her victory.
Having never heard of Bog Snorkelling before, I was instantly intrigued by the sport decided to ask Laura a little more about it…
Q: How would you summarize bog snorkelling for someone who has never heard of it before?
LS: Well Bog snorkelling is a strange sport that takes place in the pete
bogs of Wales, a farmer is kind enough to dig a sixty yard trench in
one of the bogs, and it naturally fills with water.
The competitors
then must snorkel there and back (120 yards) in the trench using no
conventional swimming strokes. This means no real arm movements
unless you wanted to do doggy paddle but this method isn’t the most
popular. Most of the competitors swim with their
arms outstretched infront of them, not moving them what so ever.
Another
rule is that the competitor must keep their face submerged at all times;
however, because the bog is so dirty the referees allow the competitors
to occasionally lift their heads out of the water just so they can see
where they are swimming.
Many people also try to win one of the
trophies by doing the dressing up and competing for the fancey dress
cup. However, all I can say is that if you want to try to wear only a
swimming costume and a rash vest, keep your arms outstretched in front
of you and fin as fast as you can. And trust yourself into knowing where you
are going.
Q: How did you become interested in Bog Snorkelling
LS: I first became interested in bog snorkeling when in 2007 one of my friends from octopush (underwater hockey) came back from the world championships with the world championship title , and a new world record, so I thought next year i will give it a go, see if i can beat it.
Q: How long have you been bog snorkeling?
LS: To be honest I have only been interested for about a year before I entered the championships when I first heard about it from a friend at octopush
Q: How do you train for it?
LS: I trained for the tournament by strapping ankle weights to my legs and just going around my normal business wearing them, which I found very affective. I found my legs strengthening almost immediately. I also trained with the ankle weights on while training for octopush and swim lengths with them attached. Because it is only your legs you are allowed to use there was no need to train other parts of your body.
Q: Why do you like it?
LS: Because its the thrill of a crazy sport, to be honest, and everyone you meet at the championships are just so friendly and you know they are just as crazy as you are.
Q: Where is the most interesting place that you’ve trained/competed?
LS: Well competing only takes place in the same place every year but I’ve gone to places all over the world snorkeling including Egypt, Oman, Jordan and of course the UK.
Thanks Laura!!!!!
This isn’t a video of Laura but here are some other fellow bog snorkelers.
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Thanks dude..love the blog