Water sheer act of madness
People left their worries behind to enjoy the thrills and spills on the 650m waterslide dug on farmland at Waimauku. Photo / Getty Images
Muddy and happy people slithered 650m down a farmland slope yesterday on what was described as the longest waterslide in the world.
The event at Helensville, 30 minutes northwest of downtown Auckland, was a fundraiser for the Live More Awesome charity raising awareness about depression.
Organiser Dan Drupstee said about 950 people went down the three slides - there were also 90m and 60m versions - including some senior citizens.
A handful of brave punters bared all for the cause, opting to go naked while others wore cowboy outfits, colourful wigs and banana suits.
"It was a kids playground for adults," Drupstee said. "Being a non-alcoholic event we wanted to take people back in time to their younger days when there were no worries and life was fun and easy. I think we achieved that."
As it was for those suffering from depression, it was okay for people frightened by the length of the slide to ask for help.