i only mentioned white socks as a joke in the OP. i even put them in italics! i personally dont care either way. i think you wear what you want..or not.
i have just learned that white hose is one of those trigger statements that get people going. that was the only reason i mentioned them.
i cared only about the activity because i have never seen it and was curious.

as for the activity- i am leaning to it being a regional challenge that is performed only there in Australia. (as mentioned earlier in this thread).