Bog Snorkeling

Margaret had also told us all about the Northern Ireland Bog Snorkeling finals which occurred today, and of course we all had to see it! It's an actual sport here- they take a bog and dig a ditch that's 120 feet long by 4 feet wide, and 5 feet deep, and fill it with water. Then the competitors don wetsuits and snorkeling gear and kick/dog paddle their way to victory! It was quite a site to see, especially when the rain and wind came in (even though it began as a perfectly sunny day).

As you can see, I also took A LOT of pictures! (Actually, I've been taking a lot of pictures the whole time, but I wanted to post a bunch!)

For some weird reason there was a tent with information about badgers, so I got to hold a ferret! He was so cute and friendly!

This is where they cut turf, and later on there were actually guys cutting it but I was too busy watching the events!

The competition lane!

Yes, there are actual rules!

The water in the "bog jacuzzi" was so disgusting!

This was as close as I got to getting in the water!

One of the competitors- there were more than I'd thought there'd be!

This couple was so excited to be there!

These boys really didn't care that they were in the mud... in fact they didn't seem to want to get out!

Look at the mud piled on top of his head!

We had to be careful not to get splattered with bog mud! I actually got a couple of drops on my jeans and boots.

The guy next to me got in the way at the last minute but I still love the two boys on the left, holding hands and holding their noses!

Everyone loves this picture!

And this one, which is one of my favorites!!

This kid shook his head like a wet dog and you could see flecks of mud flying away from him, and then his friends gave him the dirtiest look ever, because it got all over them!

The changing tent was where the guy in black is standing, and the wind blew it away (while people were changing inside)!

This woman was so funny- covered in bog mud, but running to get out of the rain!

I hope you liked my pictures, I did the best I could to convey what it's like but it's one of those things you have to experience firsthand!