Fickle weather squashes surfer, bikini world record attempts

WHILE the weather in Cape Town may be fickle, it did not stop more than 400 residents gathering at Muizenberg to try to break two records.

The annual Earthwave Beach Festival sought to break the Guinness World Record for the most number of surfers to ride the same wave, and the record for the largest bikini parade, where women walk for 1.6km clad in their two-piece bathing costumes.

The weather did not play along and only 106 riders participated in the record attempt – falling just a few surfers short of the world record. The record for the most surfers on a single wave was set at the Earthwave festival in 2009, with 110 riders.

Seemingly afraid to bare themselves in the nippy air, the bikini parade fell flat, attracting only 100 online entries. Only 12 women turned up. The record for the largest bikini parade is 1 085 participants.

Earthwave is organised by Kahuna Promotions and GoodTimes Events.

Regan Tacon of GoodTimes said the organisation was excited to be part of the beach festival.

“We love everything about Earthwave and really look forward to adding a new twist that will help to grow the festival into something even more special than it already is.”

The Earthwave Beach Festival was founded in 2006 by Paul and Dene Botha.

“Earthwave has grown so much since 2006 that we decided the time was right to team up with professionals to expand the entertainment aspects,” said Dene Botha.

President of the festival, Paul Botha, said a share of the revenue of the festival would be donated to charities.