Water doesn’t matter at the iconic Henley-on-Todd regatta
IT’S a Territory event steeped in folklore. And from humble beginnings, the iconic Henley-on-Todd regatta has raised about $1.8 million for charity, writes STEVE MENZIES
Alice Springs
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LEGS flail everywhere, visible from beneath the hulls of a dozen or so boats racing down the riverbed.
A man falls “overboard”, forcing the rest of the crew to turn and collect their colleague.
It’s Alice Springs’ answer to the Henley-on-Thames, a famous boat race along one of the most famous rivers in the world.
But in the Central Australian town, a boat race is a little different, given the river only runs a couple of days a year.
All the events are held in the dry and sandy Todd River that “flows” through the centre of town, dividing it in two.
The unique mad-cap Henley-on-Todd regatta was the brainwave of Rotarian Reg Smith and had its first running in December 1962.
He raised it over a few beers with fellow Rotarians while discussing ways to raise money for charity during a picnic at 16 Mile Creek.
When asked “what about the boats — do we tow them or push them?” Reg had the answer.
“Neither,” he said. “We cut the bottoms out and carry them.”
And so the world-famous bottomless boat regatta was born.
It is the single longest running event in the Territory — although it did have to be cancelled in 1993 when the river flowed and there was too much water to launch the yachts.
Saturday will be the 57th ‘sailing’ of the regatta.
From humble beginnings about $1.8 million has been raised for the various charities supported by the town’s three Rotary clubs.
Just as the amount of money raised has grown over the years, so has the folklore surrounding the event.
An example was in 2011 when a bloke came out from Germany. He had made his own boat and packed it in his bag for the flight out. After competing, he left the boat in Alice Springs.
Commodore Tony Jennison has been on the committee running the Henley-on-Todd for three years.
The honour of being the Commodore is rotated among the three clubs.
Having been a Rotarian for a decade, he’s been helping for a lot longer than his committee time.
The organising committee has been meeting and working for nine months getting the regatta ready.
An aim this year is to get more people, local residents and tourists alike, to be participants rather than spectators.
It does not cost any more to participate than to be a spectator as the gate fee covers everything.
“We have $250,000 cash and in-kind sponsorship this year,” Commodore Jennison said.
“We are always looking for a return from the event for the town’s three Rotary clubs which then goes to their local, national or international charities.
“This is what Rotary is about.
“There are some special guests coming. Three cast members of the TV show Bondi Rescue, English television presenter Julia Bradbury and the Australian Navy will be coming and hopefully participating.
“We will be having a special Bondi challenge.
“The King and Queen of the River is an event we would like to have a lot of entries.
“But the main drive this year is to get people to participate and not just be a spectator.”
The event has changed from the early days as more competitions were added.
Now there is a variety of events, some adapted for land-based contests, but all held in the dry, sandy river bed.
All the equipment is supplied except for the “build your own boat” event.
This boat can be made of any materials as long as it resembles a boat. The lighter the better as it has to be carried across the sandy course.
People are free to go in any event once they pay the entry fee to get in to the Regatta grounds.
The day begins with a parade from the town council lawns along Todd Mall and Todd Street to the racecourse north of the Wills Tce footbridge over the river.
There are food and soft drink stalls in the Regatta grounds.
To many people the highlight of the day is the Battle of the Boats.
Three boats — with their crews of Pirates aboard their vessel Nauteus, Vikings on their boat and the Navy in HMAS Courage — powered by four-wheel drive vehicles churn through the sand firing flour mortars and high powered water cannons.
Spectators are “advised” not to get too close or they may find themselves in the firing line of one of the canons or mortars.
These boats are crewed by members of the town’s three Rotary clubs, their family and friends.
Vikings took victors prize (boasting rights) for the 2017 Regatta.
The battle boats are a major attraction in the parade but spectators are warned to be wary as there is a certain amount of rampaging and pillaging, especially from the Pirates and Vikings, although the Navy has been known to take a captive or two over the years.
Registrations to enter the various events begin at 9.30am on the Alice Springs Town Council — intending participants are advised to get there early — all participants must complete the Henley-on-Todd indemnity form. Registrations can also be made at the special booth in the Regatta grounds.
Once the Parade starts at 10.30am, registrations can still be made at the special booth inside the Regatta grounds.
Races begin at 11.45am and the day is expected to end about 5pm.
Organisers urge participants not to forget the slip, slop, slap message to ensure they can enjoy the afternoon outside.
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