Source: I Am Hope
21 October 2026
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Olympians, Commonwealth Games athletes and familiar Kiwi faces will take on Finland’s long-held men’s and women’s gumboot throwing world records this Gumboot Friday, 6 November, in an attempt to bring both records home to New Zealand and raise funds for I Am Hope.
For 30 years, both records have belonged to Finland. The targets are formidable:
- MEN — 63.98m
Set by Teppo Luoma of Finland. - WOMEN — 40.87m
Set by Sari Tirkkonen of Finland in 1996.
On 6 November at The Trusts Arena in Auckland, I Am Hope will bring together some of New Zealand’s best throwing talent, sporting greats and well-known Kiwis to take their shot at history.
Leading the line-up are Olympic hammer thrower Lauren Bruce, two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games decathlon silver medallist Brent Newdick, and Olympic kayaker Hamish Legarth. Newdick is coming out of retirement to take on the challenge.
They’ll be joined by Commonwealth Games hammer thrower Anthony Barmes, whose hammer personal best is over 70 metres, and New Zealand javelin champion Alex Wood.
Bruce said she was looking forward to putting her throwing experience to a rather different test.
“I’ve spent years trying to make a hammer fly as far as possible. A gumboot is a very different piece of equipment, so I’m curious to see what the technique looks like! But the reason I’m there is bigger than the throw. Gumboot Friday helps young people access free counselling, and it’s good to be able to use sport to get more people behind that.”
Newdick said the chance to come out of retirement for an unusual challenge was made more worthwhile by the reason behind it, “It wasn’t something I had on my bingo card, but I’m always up for a challenge with a good reason behind it. These records have stood for decades, so it’ll take a serious effort to bring them home.”
Barmes is also relishing the chance to put his throwing skills to an entirely different test.
“My hammer personal best is over 70 metres, but that doesn’t mean I know how to throw a gumboot that far! It’ll be a real challenge, but I’m keen to see what’s possible. More than anything, it’s a great opportunity to use sport to get people involved in Gumboot Friday and help raise money for young people who need counselling.”
Olympian Hamish Legath added, “Not sure how much kayaking correlates to throwing a gumboot but I’m here for it. Gumboot Friday is a great cause!”
The sporting line-up will be joined by familiar faces from entertainment and music. I Am Hope founder Mike King will take his turn at the throw, alongside actors Fleur Saville, known for Shortland Street, and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, known for Predator: Badlands and The Panthers. Award-winning rapper and songwriter KINGS is also committed to taking part. More athletes and familiar Kiwi faces will be announced in the lead-up to the event.
Saville said she was happy to be taking part, even if a world record might be a stretch.
“I can’t promise a world-record throw, but I can promise to throw it like I mean it! I like that Gumboot Friday gives a tangible solution to a serious problem, via a little bit of fun for awareness. The fact that our young people can easily access counselling via gumbootfriday.com for free is brilliant.”
Supporters will also have the chance to bid for their preferred thrower through a Trade Me auction. Winning bidders will receive VIP seating alongside their athlete and photo opportunities, with the potential to dress their thrower in their preferred strip or branding, subject to any sponsorship conflicts.
Mike King said the event was another way for people to get behind young New Zealanders in a fun and possibly historic way.
“People know Gumboot Friday for the gumboots, but what matters is what they help make possible. Young people aged 5 to 25 can access free counselling through Gumboot Friday without needing a GP referral. It takes a lot behind the scenes to make a national service like that work, and community support helps keep it going. This event gives people a fun way to get involved while supporting something that can make a real difference in a young person’s life.”
The event forms part of Gumboot Friday, I Am Hope’s annual fundraising campaign supporting free counselling for young New Zealanders aged 5 to 25. Young people can choose a registered counsellor through the Gumboot Friday platform, without needing a GP referral.
Government funding covers counselling sessions, while donations and community fundraising help support the platform, practitioner support and wider I Am Hope work, including school programmes and community outreach. Together, that support helps make counselling accessible to young people and keeps the wider service running.
And the challenge isn’t just for elite athletes and celebrities. In the lead-up to the official attempts, I Am Hope is calling on schools, workplaces, sports clubs and everyday Kiwis around the country to grab a gumboot, have a throw and raise money for Gumboot Friday.
Whether it’s a school competition, a workplace challenge or a throw with friends, people can get involved, see how far they can send a gumboot and help build momentum ahead of the world record attempts. Standout throwers and fundraisers could even earn the chance to join the action at The Trusts Arena.
Event promo video: Instagram
Teaser: Instagram
Gumboot Friday takes place on Friday 6 November. To find out more and get involved, visit gumbootfriday.com.