After nearly two years of attempting to break the world record for the greatest number of people to skinny dip at a single venue – more than 500 people braved the waters in Gisborne last Sunday.The world record for the largest number of people to skinny dip at a single venue was broken in Gisborne last Sunday.

On December 30 a total of 506 people got their gear off to break the ZM and Skinny Mobile Skinny Dip World Record at the Baywatch Campgrounds in Gisborne with thousands of spectators.

Gisborne broke the current world record which stood at 413 participants made by a mid-summer skinny dip in South Wales in the United Kingdom on June 19 2011.

The Edge radio station organised a skinny dip world record attempt at Harrison's Cut where almost 300 people ran naked into the waters. The 299 participants fell short of breaking the 414 person record.

BW festival project manager Christine Shanahan says she is satisfied Gisborne has set a new world record.

'It was really great to see so many people coming together in Gisborne to support the event.

'It was amazing how respectful everyone was. Everyone who participated found it quite liberating.

'We hope to repeat it next year.”

Apart from the 506 registered people, Christine says thousands stood on the side-lines to watch the event take place.

Christine says participants had to stay in the water for at least 10 minutes to register for the world record – which they did.

Participants were issued with an electronic wrist band which was swiped in order to keep count of the world record number.