Drew Mcaliece prepares for 2023 Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta

A boat decked out with a waterslide, stripper pole, bar and dancefloor will be hard to miss at the annual Mindil Beach regatta.

Decked out with a waterslide, stripper pole, bar and dance floor, it will be hard to miss Drew Mcaliece’s floating masterpiece when it hits the water off Mindil Beach.

The booze-loving larrikin has spent ‘thousands of hours’ working on his grog-inspired novelty entry for the iconic annual Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta on Sunday.

It will be the 15th year Mr Mcaliece has entered the event, which celebrates the city’s laid-back lifestyle while raising funds for CareFlight.

Drew Mcaliece. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Mcaliece said his boat, aptly named ‘She’ll be rite’, had all the bells and whistles.

“We get lots of ladies there,’’ he said, pointing to the boat’s floating dance floor.

“We’re starting off the day with those martinis with coffee.”

Mr Mcaliece said the event, which attracts thousands, was about ‘bringing back the Aussie larrikin’.

“Just being there and having a great time with your mates. That’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Drew Mcaliece with his boat ‘SheBeRite’. He is the reigning novelty boat champion of the Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Expertly designed boats made out of cans – and the teams trying to sail them - will compete for the best boat design and the fastest boat, before the Battle for Mindil takes place at the end of the day.

Boats can be made out of cans, plastic bottles and milk cartons, and there is a special category for children.

On the beach, revellers can participate in a range of activities including a tug-of-war, thong throwing, iron man and woman, and a children’s sandcastle competition.

Budding fashion designers can take part in ‘Fashions on the Beach’, where competitors will show off their outfits made out of cans or cartons.

Entry to the regatta is by gold coin. The event will run from 10am to 5pm.

Originally published as Drew Mcaliece prepares for 2023 Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta