The Northern Ireland Bog Snorkelling Championships is an annual sporting event with a difference. Competitors try to swim two lengths of a water-filled trench cut into a peat bog with the aid of a snorkel, mask and flippers, but without using any conventional– or bog standard – swimming strokes.

Now in its tenth year, the event drew competitors from all over the Emerald Isle to Peatlands Park in County Armagh. Two hardy souls had travelled all the way from North Carolina in the US to brave the cold, muddy water.

There is a serious side to the quirky event. It is held on International Bog Day, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of peatlands. The peatlands that once covered much of Northern Ireland have been greatly reduced; only 12% (167,580 hectares) remain intact.

If you fancy having a go, the Irish Bog Snorkelling Championships will be held from 12 to 14 September in Castleblayney, County Monaghan.