Royal Hobart Regatta’s fun sky high

SOME of the best action at the Royal Hobart Regatta will be in the sky.

Preview of Hobart Regatta at Regatta Ground, picture of the Royal Australian navy dancing Squirrels, Helicopters hovering over the water in front of the regatta ground,

IT’S renowned for its water-based activities, but some of the best action at the Royal Hobart Regatta will be on land and in the sky.

On show at the three-day event, starting today, will be acrobatic displays from the Routlettes, the wonder of the Dancing Squirrels helicopters and a wet winching display by a Seahawk helicopter.

Regatta spokeswoman Christine Lucas said the helicopters practised their routines yesterday and drew a huge crowd.

“That’s the biggest thing this year,” she said.

“We’re going to have full military support each day ... the kids just love it.”

On solid ground, Mrs Lucas said organisers hoped the inclusion of a concert showcasing local acts and the showing of Tasmanian short films on a big screen would help attract a new crowd.

The concert, Amplified + is a partnership with Music Tasmania and Wide Angle will run a mature-audiences short film competition.

“It’s (the regatta) is known for it’s aquatic activities and sideshows, but hopefully this will bring the grown-ups along,” Mrs Lucas said.

The regatta is still stuffed full of fun and exciting aquatic activities and sideshows.

“We’ve had record numbers in the swim, our rowing program is the best in years ... there’s still a lot on the water,” Mrs Lucas said.

Mrs Lucas said this and the forecast sunny weather would be key to crowd numbers after the 30,000-40,000 attendance last year.

Today’s program:

- Junior rowing

- Helicopter display

- Bruny Island Yacht Race

- The Great Regatta Challenge

- Amplified + concert

- Tasmanian short films on the big screen, Wide Angle, mature audiences.

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Originally published as Royal Hobart Regatta’s fun sky high