We ran a photo in the Kalgoorlie Miner of international bog snorkeller Julia Galvin (pictured in a bog), who was visiting town, astride the statue of Paddy Hannan complete with snorkel and mud.
I had never heard of bog snorkelling until yesterday, but apparently it’s quite big in Wales.
The “sport” involves competitors completing two consecutive lengths of a 60-yard water filled trench cut through a peat bog, in the shortest time possible.
Competitors must wear snorkels and flippers, and complete the course without using conventional swimming strokes, relying on flipper power alone. Wet suits are not compulsory, but are usually worn.
Julia Galvin, from Ireland, told us she also participates in wife carrying, which brought her to Australia for recent championships.
I thought our headline “Muck of the Irish” was rather clever, but the Townsville Bulletin beat us to it.
Julia made a great comment to us: “A lot of people tell me I’m crazy. I tell them I’m not crazy, I’m just surrounded by terribly dull people.”
Indeed!
These articles might be of interest:
