Darwin’s Beer Can Regatta is the world’s strangest boat race
Crack the top off one of the most unique festivals in the Northern Territory.
What is it?
In the early 1970s, Paul Rice-Chapman and Lutz Frankenfeld wanted to clean up the rubbish – which was mainly beer cans – around Darwin’s Mindil Beach. It quickly evolved into the annual Beer Can Regatta, with the first event held in 1974. More than 22,000 people attended the inaugural race – around half of the total population of Darwin at the time. The race has grown every year but the principle remains the same. Homemade boats constructed out of beer cans, plastic bottles and cartons are launched into the ocean in front of a cheering crowd.
What are the boats like?
Use your imagination! The boats range from one metre up to 12 metres in length and take the shape of everything from North Queensland crocodiles to Wimbledon tennis courts, Viking longships and pirate vessels. They can carry just one person or a small group, all of whom are usually equipped with a few full beer cans to sustain them through the race.
What activities are there?
The boats are judged first thing in the morning, before the main race gets underway. Then there are kayak races, tug of war, iron men and women events, sandcastle building contests and thong throwing competitions. The main event is the Beer Can Boat Race, which happens at 3pm, with crews of four trying to sail their vessels around the course. At 4.30pm the Battle of Mindil gets underway – this is a boat race where anything goes. Crews can arm themselves with water hoses, flour bombs and anything else they can think of as they race other boats to find an object that has been hidden under the water. If one boat finds the object first, other teams can attempt to steal it from them and the winner is the first group to make it back to shore.
A fierce battle on the shores of Darwin's Mindil Beach, 15 teams took to the sea for 41st "Beer Can Regatta"! #Today9 pic.twitter.com/3PfYVvmHib
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) July 12, 2015
It’s all for a good cause!
From the very beginning, the Beer Can Regatta has supported local charities. It has a close relationship with the Darwin Lions Club and over the years has donated money to the Cancer Council Northern Territory, Downs Syndrome NT, the Mindil Beach Surf Lifesaving Club and Helping People Achieve. Over $150,000 has been raised over the past six years.
Have you ever experienced the Beer Can Regatta?
Hero image credit: Twitter / Phaiwa