If you had been on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Tuesday you would have probably thought you were seeing things, as 320 Father Christmas’ traded sleighs for surfboards and plunged into the water.
The festive spectacle was a record-breaking event that beat the previous Guinness Book of World Record of 250 surfers.
But breaking records wasn’t the only motive for these Santa-clad surfers. The event was an attempt to raise awareness and break the stigma of mental health issues.
The surf charity OneWave, who were responsible for gathering the hundreds of red-clad participants, was founded three years ago in an attempt to provide support for people who suffer mental health issues or are recovering from one.
The charity does this by providing surfing activities such as this one, which gives them a routine while also introducing them people going through similar problems. But more importantly, it is a chance to have fun and do something ridiculous.
And research has proven that frolicking around in the waves does wonders for your mental health after a study has revealed psychological growth as well as physical and social benefits.
Not bad for a bit of surfing!