Join the Havaianas jandal invasion

Imagine a floating mass of more than 300 people on inflatable jandals bobbling in the surf at Mount Maunganui Main Beach.
As strange as it sounds, that's exactly what you'll see when Mount Maunganui is taken over by a jandal invasion in the second annual Havaiana Lilo Challenge this Saturday.
Organisers of the Havaianas Lilo Challenge are out to beat last year's attempt of about 250 people forming the largest jandal made by people floating on lilos in the water.
Havaiana Tauranga brand manager Monique Macfarlane said it would be a fantastic day out as well as raising money for Surf Lifesaving New Zealand.
"[Havaianas] wanted to do something to celebrate New Zealand and celebrate our jandals and do an activity that was different, cool and funky," Miss Macfarlane said. "Havaianas were first sold in New Zealand, our head office is here, and the people in the Mount and Bay of Plenty are the most loyal brand following so we wanted to do something in this area for them and say thanks for their support."
Miss Macfarlane has put the call out to people in the Western Bay to take part in the record-breaking attempt.
Anyone who would like to be involved is welcome to come to Mount Maunganui Main Beach on Saturday, and register at the Havaiana Lilo Challenge tent, from 1pm. At 3pm there will be a safety briefing, followed by the distribution of the 1.6m inflatable havaiana jandal lilos. At 3.15pm, formation of the giant lilo will take place and lilo-riders will head into the surf in groups at 15-minute intervals to form the six sections of a giant floating jandal.
Miss Macfarlane said safety was paramount and during the event, 16 lifeguards from Mount Maunganui surf lifesaving team would be out on the water on boats and jetskis.
Participants will each hold a rope, tied to a number of buoys set out in a giant jandal formation, to position them in the surf. Once the formation is complete, a roving helicopter will take photos of the spectacle.
Entries to the event will cost participants $30, and includes a 1.6m inflatable Havaiana jandal lilo, worth $44, to keep after the event.
A portion of the entry fee will be donated to Surf Lifesaving New Zealand. Miss Macfarlane said the funds would stay in the Western Bay of Plenty and would be distributed to the clubs who helped on the day.
Other entertainment will take place at the beach, including a sandcastle competition.
Saturday's forecast is for rain, however Miss Macfarlane said that would not have any effect on the event. She said if the break was too large or the swell was too big at Main Mount Beach, the event would be moved to Pilot Bay.
Go to www.havaianasnz.com. Cash only registrations on the day are subject to availability. Safety requirements mean participants must be 12 or older.
WHEN AND WHERE
What: Havaianas Lilo Challenge.
Where: Mount Maunganui Main Beach.
When: Saturday.
Time: 1-4pm.
Cost: $30 entry.