There are few things as Australian as hanging out on the beach in flip flops, but floating on a giant Havaiana thong in the surf may just take the cake.
That's exactly how thousands of Australians spent their Australia Day long weekend, with nearly 5000 people country-wide participating in the Havaiana Thong challenge. The annual event, managed by experience agency Urban, is now in its 10th year, with events across the country in North Bondi, Cottelsoe, Mooloolaba, Glenelg and Torquay.
This year Western Australia hit the record books, with 2210 people floating on giant thongs at Cottesloe beach. And despite rough weather keep revellers on the sand in New South Wales, 2000 people still showed at North Bondi to enjoy the festivities.
Urban co-founder and event director Ryan McDonough said the thong challenge is one of the most “enduring examples of experiential marketing”.
“It was another huge day for us with record numbers of participants at three of five participating beaches,” McDonough said.
“And despite the North Bondi [surf challenge] having to be cancelled, the atmosphere was terrific, which is testament to the public's continued support for the event.”
