Bondi floats new record attempt

Thousands of brightly coloured, giant inflatables will make a splash at Bondi Beach on Sunday January 26 as part of the ninth annual Havaianas Australia Day Thong Challenge. Sydneysiders will hit the water at North Bondi from midday in an attempt to break the world record of the longest line of giant inflatable Havaianas joined in the water.

In 2014, Bondi is aiming to float into the record books and reclaim the title after being beaten last year by a record number of 2093 participants from Western Australia’s Cottesloe Beach. The event is held at beaches across five states including New South Wales, Western Australia, Torquay in Victoria, Glenelg in South Australia, and Mooloolaba in Queensland. When asked about the chances of Bondi beating the record, a spokesperson for Havaianas said: “We are definitely up on last year. The numbers are up across the board.”

For the first time participants will wear the Havaianas ShareBand – a wristband designed to allow users to instantly connect with social media. The ShareBand will let users automatically check-in on Facebook and share their photos and updates with friends by using branded ShareStations and photobooths on the beach.

Since the popular Challenge event first started in 2006, it has raised over $270,000 for Surf Living Saving Australia and Nippers nationally. North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club receives valuable funds from the event with $10 from each registration going to the local surf club.

This year the Australia Day Thong Challenge event will host a variety of beach activities including an iconic Aussie barbeque and a ‘Make Your Own Havaianas’ stall where anyone can customise a pair of thongs by choosing their own colours and designs.