Bog snorkellers get down and dirty at Peatlands

The sixth Northern Ireland Bog Snorkelling Championship, will take place at Peatlands Country Park on Sunday 25 July from 11am - 5pm.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is once again hosting the event, which attracts competitors from all over Ireland and helps to raise awareness of the importance of our bogs.

Colin Gates, Assistant Warden and event organiser said: “This energetic sport is very popular and gets people literally into the bog. Competitors have to swim two lengths of a 60-yard bog drain with the aid of a snorkel, mask and flippers and without using any conventional swimming strokes."

For those that don’t fancy the idea of getting down and dirty in the bog, there will be music, face painting and arts and crafts to keep the whole family entertained. There will also be guided walks across the bog; the Bog Olympics; traditional turf cutting demonstrations; walkabout characters; free train rides to and from the Bog Snorkelling site as well as delicious food, drinks and ice cream.

A visit to the garden beside the Education Centre is a must for gardening enthusiasts to pick up some creative tips on how to reduce garden waste. A member of the Rethink Waste team will be on hand to provide helpful ideas on how you can take a step further and move your indoor reduce, reuse and recycling good practices outside to the garden.

This event promises to be entertaining for all the family and leave you with a fun and memorable bog experience!

Notes to editors

1. The Department of the Environment’s Rethink Waste campaign aims to raise awareness, encourage best practice and achieve behavioural change among households, the business, community and education sectors. The campaign seeks to effect a cultural shift towards better waste prevention and resource management and improved environmental quality in Northern Ireland. For more information visit the rethink waste website
2. Photographs from previous Bog snorkelling events are available on request.
3. All media enquires should be directed to the Department of the Environment Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.