Old rivals set to splash at the Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta

Pelts have been soaked with the blood of enemies. Shields have been polished. And almighty Nordic roars perfected. Indeed, the Vikings are gearing up for what is sure to be another unforgettable Henley on Todd Regatta.

Viking team members Heidi Blacker, Phil Hughes and Ricki Pool. Picture: ALYCE MOKRZYCKI

Pelts have been soaked with the blood of enemies. Shields have been polished. And almighty Nordic roars perfected.

Indeed, the Vikings are gearing up for what is sure to be another unforgettable Henley on Todd Regatta.

Risking life and limb for our readers, the Centralian Advocate spoke to Viking King, Brendan Fogarty, who has been directly involved with the event for five years.

“I was asked by a friend to jump on a boat, and I hadn’t actually been to Henley on Todd before then, and I thought I’d give it a go and it’s a blast,” said King Fogarty.

His role is to keep the “riff raff” organised so the team of 14 Vikings can successfully “pillage and win” on the day.

Eschewing carrier pigeon, King Fogarty asked the Advocate to convey a message to his enemies, and anyone brave enough to attend the event.

“Navy and Pirates, watch out, we’re coming. Come down and watch a bloodbath,” he warned.

Surely the only baths being had will be to rid feet of red dirt after the event, with actual water.

There is, however, a more serious side to the event this year with Vikings, Pirates and HMAS Courage both directly and indirectly touched by cancer.

As in previous years, the Vikings will be donating all funds raised to the McGrath Foundation to help fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses who provide invaluable support and care to women and men experiencing breast cancer.

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Neil Ross of Ross Engineering has been attending the Regatta since the 1960s as a child, and was involved in the refurbishment of HMAS Courage, set to be unveiled this Saturday.

“The battle of the boats is about winning the hearts and minds of the crowd,” said Mr Ross.

“When you look at photos of the event, everyone is just having a great time.”

Asked what he gets out of the event, Mr Ross said, “It’s the pleasure that you’re doing something really unique and iconic for the town.”

“There’s nowhere on this earth where you can go to an event like Henley on Todd, it’s not like anything else.”

The Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta is on Saturday 17, 2019 from 10.30am.

To purchase tickets visit henleyontodd.com.au