Every year, the costumes on parade at Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras get wilder, more elaborate and even more daring - with the exception of one.
The red Speedo.
The iconic uniform of Australia's volunteer surf lifesavers has become as synonymous with Sydney's annual mardi gras parade as the glitz of glamorous drag queens and their six inch platform boots.
While most parade participants overdose their outfits on feathered headdresses and glittery gowns, the lifesavers prefer to travel light.
One Speedo swimming costume, one red and yellow cap and a few, albeit sequinned, flags.
But the get-up hasn't lost any of its audience appeal, Lifesavers with Pride co-chair Brenton Parry says.
"I think the cliched image of the bronzed Aussie lifesaver doesn't exactly hurt," he laughs.
"We're still marching up the street in our red Speedos with our flags ... we're never going to get rid of the Speedos!
"The fit, outdoor, beach lifestyle sits really well with Sydney and the Sydney Mardi Gras.
"It's out there on the beach in the sunshine and it pretty much typifies the Sydney lifestyle."
Up to 80 per cent of the lifesavers taking part in this year's parade are gay or lesbian.
And their inclusion is helping to break down barriers in the community, Mr Parry says.
"I think a lot of gay people thought `oh I'd love to do that', but were probably scared that maybe surf lifesaving wasn't accepting, that it was a very macho environment," Mr Parry says.
"And it is a macho environment but they're very accepting.
"We've been blown away by the reception over the last couple of years - it's been fantastic."
Organisers are hoping the march will continue to act as a recruitment drive for future lifesavers.
"In 2007 Australia's marching gay and lesbian lifesavers were your heroes. In 2008 they entertained you. Now, in 2009 they want to recruit you!" their website says.
The next recruits may come with accents: Lifesavers with Pride have become so popular overseas their website has been inundated with interest from people all over the world - Africa, South America, the Middle East, India, Europe and Canada.
The group have even received registrations from the US Lifeguards who will be flying in to join in this year's parade.
"In many countries gays and lesbians do not enjoy the same freedom as we do in Australia," organising committee member Tara Martin says.
"It shows that Australia is leading the way when it comes to acceptance and diversity in lifesaving and the rest of the world is looking to us for inspiration.
"This is a major feather in the cap of Surf Life Saving Australia."
Participants will spend Thursday night rehearsing at North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club, preparing to take on the 2.4 kilometre parade on Saturday evening.
Thousands of spectators are expected to line the route of the parade which will cap off three weeks of Mardi Gras festivities.
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