By PAUL MILLAR
AN Australia Day thong contest might not have the same ring as the Eurovision Song Contest but organisers hope it will have more appeal to local beach goers.
The Australia Day Thong Challenge pits state against state in a contest where swimmers link hands on board inflatable thongs on the water in a bid to gain a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
The event also raises much needed funds for nippers programs at surf life-saving clubs.
Torquay aims to push for the title this year, with Western Australia holding the crown with 2093 swimmers in the water last year.
David Nankervis, the head of the Torquay SLSC Nippers program and Victorian lifesaver of the year, said the challenge was a fun day out.
It costs $30 to register for the challenge, with thong manufacturer Havaianas supplying the inflatables, of this $10 goes to fund the nippers’ program.
“It happens on Australia Day and I can think of no better place to be on Australia Day than down at the beach,’’ Mr Nankervis said.
The challenge has run for nine years and has raised $250,000 for the nippers nationally.
