NewsBite

Budgie smugglers and dry river boat races: Action snaps from ‘24 Henley on Todd Regatta gallery

Hamster wheel races, a budgie smuggler run, and plenty of boat races brought locals and visitors alike to the 2024 Henley on Todd event. SEE THE FULL GALLERY.

The battle boats ending the 2024 Henley on Todd in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov
The battle boats ending the 2024 Henley on Todd in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A last minute decision to enter a Red Centre river regatta has landed an unlikely trio second place, with one saying they “had no idea” what they were getting into.

David Norton from Sorrento, Western Australia put his hand up for this year’s Henley on Todd, and with the help of Olivia McPherson and Grace Andlee, he landed second place in the three-person river run event.

The unlikely said trio said they formed an alliance two minutes before the race began.

With Ms Andlee and Ms McPherson unable to put together their idea for a vulva boat in time for this year’s race, they decided to answer the call and help out Mr Norton.

Grace Andlee, Olivia McPherson, and Dave Norton prepare for the finals race. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Grace Andlee, Olivia McPherson, and Dave Norton prepare for the finals race. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“We were working too much, so we just rocked up and were so pleased to be able to participate and get second,” Ms Andlee said.

With a six metre canoe as their boat, the trio said it was the turns that cost them in the end.

But with zero training, Mr Norton said second place was a great outcome.

“I entered yesterday and I thought ‘jeez, I hope it’s not more than three kilometres’,” he said.

“I had no idea, and then when I got here and I saw the course, I thought ‘I’m dead’.

A team from Ultimate Campers took out the top spot in the three-person race.

In other events, team America beat Australia in the Australia cup race, while the Henley on Todd king and queen were also crowned.

The title of King went to Victorian Matt Dickeson, while Brooke Webb was crowned Queen.

HOT17082024 Brooke Webb. Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
HOT17082024 Brooke Webb. Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Ms Webb – part of team Shrek from South Australia – featured in almost all of the events, including the hamster wheel race, the tug of war, budgie smuggler race, and the individual boat races.

King and Queen were given a 3D printed Henley on Todd medal and a $100 tavern voucher.

Ms Webb said it was a surprise to get the top spot, given her Lord Farquaad uniform only arrived the morning of the event.

“I thought ‘alright, lets go and give everything a crack this weekend’,” she said.

She promised her bar voucher would “be spent responsibly” after the event.

Mr Dickeson, of Yackandandah, said he was stoked the event went ahead this year.

“There’s a good variety of events, and it’s pretty easy to join,”

“So it’s certainly not like you have to turn up on the boat.”

Team USA racing team Australia in the Australia cup race. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Team USA racing team Australia in the Australia cup race. Picture: Gera Kazakov
The Henley on Todd individual races. Picture: Gera Kazakov
The Henley on Todd individual races. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Rick and Lisa Ellerton came from Echuca, Victoria, to enjoy this year’s Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Rick and Lisa Ellerton came from Echuca, Victoria, to enjoy this year’s Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
A game of ruby was held for the first time at Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
A game of ruby was held for the first time at Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Americans Lucky, Suzy and Timothy enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Americans Lucky, Suzy and Timothy enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Pre race chats at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Pre race chats at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Naya from England and Vitto from Italy enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Naya from England and Vitto from Italy enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Team Shrek walks up to their race at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Team Shrek walks up to their race at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Pirates Nick and Luella enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Pirates Nick and Luella enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
The Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
The Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Kura Waugh, navy Capitan Steve Smith, and Paul Bremer enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Kura Waugh, navy Capitan Steve Smith, and Paul Bremer enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
The Great Northern boat at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
The Great Northern boat at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Competitors in the women’s budgie smugglers race enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Competitors in the women’s budgie smugglers race enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Racing at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Racing at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Racing at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Racing at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Racing at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Racing at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Competitors in the mens budgie smugglers race at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Competitors in the mens budgie smugglers race at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Competitors in the mens budgie smugglers bared almost everything at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Competitors in the mens budgie smugglers bared almost everything at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Punters from far and wide enjoying the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Competitors in the mens budgie smugglers race at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Competitors in the mens budgie smugglers race at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Competitors in the mens budgie smugglers race at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
Competitors in the mens budgie smugglers race at the Henley on Todd in Alice Springs, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov
The winners of the men's budgie smuggler race. Picture: Gera Kazakov
The winners of the men's budgie smuggler race. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Originally published as Budgie smugglers and dry river boat races: Action snaps from ‘24 Henley on Todd Regatta gallery

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/budgie-smugglers-and-dry-river-boat-races-action-snaps-from-24-henley-on-todd-regatta-gallery/news-story/c110ed10f0c4bd57098d515faff4f715