Surfing Santas set new world record in Australia

Hundreds of Australians dressed in Santa outfits to break record for world’s biggest surf lesson

A group of Australians have started Christmas celebrations early after their successful attempt at breaking the world record for the largest surf lesson.

The previous record stood at 250 surfers, but 320 locals, all dressed in Santa Claus outfits, gathered on Bondi Beach to break the record.

The record attempt was also organised to raise awareness of mental health issues and $2,500 was donated to surfing charity “OneWave”.

Surfing Santas set new world record in Australia

OneWave spokesperson and mental health therapist, Joel Pilgrim told the BBC the charity was founded as a way to bring the local community together and break down the stigma attached to mental health issues.

"We're giving people routine and purpose which is key in someone's mental health recovery, and also engaging them in an activity that is quintessentially Australian.”