Henley on Todd Regatta returns to Alice Springs this Saturday
Hundreds line the banks of Todd River as the iconic Henley on Todd Regatta kicks off in Alice Springs. View all the images from the world’s only dry river regatta.
Alice Springs
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Hundreds of people have crowded the banks of Todd River to cheer on about 1000 competitors in the annual Henley on Todd Regatta.
On a sunny afternoon in the middle of August, the crowd was buzzing as commentators riled up the competition between Gun Boat crews the vikings, the navy and the pirates.
Teams range from a visiting Canadian patrol group, unicorns, Flintstones, the Scooby Doo crew and a team from the Central Australian Frack Free Alliance.
The regatta is a major drawcard for the town, raising more than $1.7m for the local Rotary club since the competition began.
This year’s Commodore Dominic Miller described the event as “a manifestation of the Centralian spirit”.
“Because everyone laughs at adversity and we look for a bit of fun whenever we can,” he said.
He was particularly excited for the Battle of the Gun Boats Spectacular, which wrapped up the event at 4.40pm on Saturday.
“It’s a lot of fun, people are going to come out absolutely drenched,” he said.
Major Events Minister Paul Kirby described the event as a “world-famous tourist attraction”.
“Whether you’re an entrant, spectator or visitor, get down to the Todd River and Snow Kenna Park for a day full of laughs and one of the best water fights of your life,” he said.
Australia’s ‘craziest’ regatta returns to Alice Springs
Alice Springs’ Henley on Todd Regatta is expected to draw about 1000 participants and 4500 spectators to the town this Saturday.
Widely acclaimed as the world’s only dry river boating event, participants in open-bottomed boats battle it out through the Todd River’s red dirt to the cheers and applause of an eager crowd.
In 2022 the event drew national acclaim — winning Triple J’s Australia’s Best Competition competition.
This year’s commodore Dominic Miller said the event, now in its 61st year, was the brainchild of Reg Smith in 1962.
“Reg got together with a few mates in the early 60s and said ‘we should stop lamenting the fact that we don’t have any water and make the most of it, and we’ll have a boat race on the sand’, to which a few people thought this guy’s got to be nuts,” he said.
“But he persisted and Henley on Todd was born.
“I think it’s a manifestation of the Centralian spirit, because everyone laughs at adversity and we look for a bit of fun whenever we can.”
The event has expanded over the years, with up to 1000 participants and 4500 spectators expected this weekend.
“People come up with all weird and wonderful designs, with everything from an ark to a kayak to a yacht,” he said.
“Some Austrians came out once and had a three person boat, it’s supposed to have four people but we said we’ll make an exception given they came all the way from Austria.
“It’s comical, people put political statements, businesses put their own logos, whatever they want to do.”
The event concludes with the famed gunbattle between HMAS courage, the Pirate ship and the “mighty” Vikings.
“Where everything else all day is human powered, these are 4WD cars and trucks that have been converted into boats and they wheel around the Henny on Todd arena at the end of the day letting off these tiny little detonators, sending out perfectly harmless smoke bombs and getting rid of thousands of litres of water as they spray each other,” he said.
“Whoever gets the biggest clap winds the event, and of course they fight tooth and nail for the next 10 or 15 minutes or so to win over the crowd.”
What to expect
Henley on Todd parade: Kicking off at 10.30am from Council Chambers Lawns, all participants are invited to take part in the parade. Spectators can get a look at new designs, alongside the classic gunbattle boats.
Welcome and Speeches: Gates open at about 11am, with a welcome address and speeches to take place from 11.30am.
Arena Events and Races: Events take place between 11.55am and about 4.25pm and include Bring Your Own Boat races alongside other events such as sand shovelling, sand skis, a surf ski rescue and the inaugural International Beach Cricket contest.
Battle Boats Spectacular: The HMAS Courage, The Pirates and The Vikings will battle from about 4.40pm
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