Posted June 19, 2017 13:00:09

Bobbing bodies of various ages and shapes took to the waters of Townsville's Kokoda pool yesterday to try to sink the world record for the largest aqua aerobics class.

The north Queensland city's Guinness World record attempt attracted 159 participants, which was not sufficient to pip the record of 250 (held by Mexico) but it did beat the previous Australian record.

"So we are now the national record holders, so we are the best in Australia by about 70 so that was good," said attempt organiser Christie Love.

"So they tried it down south and they didn't get more than 90 and that was an indoor pool, so I am definitely happy with 159."

Participant Sandra Davey said the workout was not too strenuous and the class was a terrific opportunity to develop a sense of community.

"I think events like this is how you build and grow a community," Ms Davey said.

"The number of conversations that were going on, it was almost like new friends were being made as well as participating in an event that is good for us."

Northern Queensland boasts several Guinness World Records: Innisfail holds the record for the longest banana split, Townsville for the most people wearing sock puppets.

Aqua aerobics is a popular sport in Townsville. Ms Love said the Kokoda pool alone holds 12 classes a week, which each attract more than 40 participants.

Despite an ambient temperature of 28 degrees and a water temperature of 33 degrees, Ms Love thought Townsville's winter weather may have kept some participants away.

"Maybe because we had it in winter we just didn't get the numbers so maybe we will try it again in September when it will be a bit warmer," Ms Love said.

"But at the end of the day it is a community thing and we are still the highest now in Australia."

Topics: offbeat, sport, swimming, community-and-society, townsville-4810, innisfail-4860

Read more from the original source:

Townsville plunges into Australian record books with mega aqua aerobics class - ABC Online