Sydney

Famous for its beautiful beaches, it's not unusual to see residents and tourists alike wearing swimwear in Sydney but the number of people stripping off in Australia's second city almost broke new records yesterday.

Hundreds of Sydneysiders took to the streets to try and set a new record for the world's largest swimwear parade in a bid to raise funds for charity.

However, the official Guinness World Record, recently wrestled from former holders Las Vegas by a South African parade that saw 287 swimwear enthusiasts turn out, couldn't quite match up in numbers, in spite of authorities hoping thousands would strip off in the sunshine.

Australia's love of Speedo-style swimwear, known as 'budgie smugglers' and bikinis saw hundreds of businessmen and city workers ditch their office clothes to take part in the event. They gathered on the steps of the city's iconic Sydney Opera House to pose for the world's media.

Spanish bull leapers

In the name of entertainment and adrenalin, Spain’s bull leapers, known as “recortadores”, continue an ancient tradition that can be traced back to 1500 BC, during King Minos’ reign.

Teams of 5 to 7 bull leapers gather each year in cities like Valencia or Barcelona, to take part in a performance that many compare to the Russian roulette. Each team may face up to three bulls in the ring, at once, taunting and jumping over them just when the beats prepare to impale them.

The bull leapers all look calm and brave, but they don’t hesitate to run for their lives after a successful jump or evasion, to stay well clear of the angry bulls. The atmosphere in the bullfighting arena is said to be exhilarating, with the crown cheering every successful trick.

Sure some may call these death-defying artists insane, but I have a lot more respect for them than I do for bullfighters. At least bull leaping doesn’t get the bull killed in a violent way. sadly it can’t quench the Spanish thirst for bull-fighting blood.