Hollywood heart-throb Zac Efron faced a sea of screaming fans before he could even reach the Bondi surf.
The 22-year-old on Tuesday joined Australian pro-surfer Layne Beachley for a learn to surf promotion with surfwear manufacturer Oakley, after flying into the country on Monday with girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens.
Hundreds of fans lined the street, clutching notepads and cameras, as Efron arrived in a large black van.
Squealing girls swamped the actor, crying out "I love you" as he ran into North Bondi RSL Club to change into a red Oakley wetsuit.
The young star, best known for his role in the High School Musical film series, seemed overwhelmed by the attention, turning to Beachley and saying "I'll just stand with you guys."
He shook his head at the crowd of photographers, adding to Beachley, "It's crazy I know."
Security hastily assembled a metal barricade to keep fans at bay but they later poured through and followed the star onto the sand.
Efron was quickly directed into a sand buggy with Beachley, heading to the south end of the beach, where he spent about half an hour in the water.
Balmain resident Craig Gill managed to place his four-year-old daughter, Petal, into the buggy for a quick snap with the star.
"She's the only one that got a kiss," Mr Gill said with pride.
"We just happened to come down, and she's the biggest fan of Zac."
Event organisers said while Efron was causing commotion on the sand, girlfriend Hudgens snuck unseen into the restaurant North Bondi Italian Food to wait for him.
Oakley hosted the Learn to Ride surfing day to raise awareness and funds for the One Sight Foundation, a global project dedicated to improving vision through outreach, research and education.
Australian professional surfers Tom Whitaker and Sam Page joined Sydney identities Lauryn Eagle, Maude Garrett and Nikki Phillips to take part in the campaign.
Front page
RSS Feed