Royal Hobart Regatta stays afloat for 184th Anniversary event

The Royal Hobart Regatta has long been known as a display of sail power but now power boats can join in to broaden the event’s appeal to all water enthusiasts. EVENTS + TICKETS >>

Helen Kempton and Annie McCann

4 min read

February 6, 2022 - 3:25PM

Hobart & South

Don't miss out on the headlines from Hobart & South. Followed categories will be added to My News.

The Royal Hobart Regatta will include some extra vroom this year with a brand new event featuring power boats as well as sailing vessels.

The regatta is now in its 184th year and organisers say the new event will broaden its appeal and give more water users a chance to be involved.

The Pennicott’s Journeys Parade of Power and Sail - to be held on Sunday between 12pm and 2pm - is expected to boost crowds and attract about 200 power vessels.

“We are aiming for as many as possible and people can still enter via the Royal Hobart Regatta wesbite,” organisers said.

Regatta president David Skegg said despite Covid challenges, this year would build on last year’s 85 events.

About 500 people will take part in physical events, from rowing to sailing and swimming, pageants and woodchopping state championships.

NEWS: Parade of Sail promo, royal Hobart regatta. At Regatta Grounds.

The Double Derwent yacht race from Montagu Bay to the Regatta Grounds will also include a return leg back to the start line.

Three bands are scheduled to perform at the riverside concert on the Saturday night, complementing the military band.

On Sunday, attractions, vendors and sideshow equipment will start rolling in and there will be fireworks that night.

The Royal Hobart Regatta will run from Saturday to Monday over the long weekend at McVilly Drive Regatta Grounds.

Tickets are $3 for the carnival, $5 for the Saturday riverside concert and $3 for the Sunday riverside concert and fireworks via royalhobart regatta.com/tickets

Regatta buoyant enough to persevere for 184th year

More than 180 years of rowing, sailing and water activities have brought the River Derwent to life, and the new generation is eager to keep the tradition alive.

Rowers from Collegiate are gearing up for the Royal Hobart Regatta next long weekend.

Derwent Mercantile Collegiate Rowing Club president Sue Sleuce has been co-coaching the under-16s ahead of the event.

“It’s not just about the sport – it’s quite time consuming so it teaches time management, it teaches resilience,” she said.

“It gives everybody great pleasure and great heartache, depending on the day.”

The under 16’s have been training one-ore sweep rowing since August for the busy summer schedule.

Collegiate rowers Ava Parsons 15, Molly Ferguson 15, Eliza Shelley 17 and Rosie Forsyth 17 ahead of the Royal Hobart Regatta. Picture: Chris Kidd.

“This is the pointy end of the season so it’s always exciting to get out,” Ms Sleuce said.

“Everyone’s looking forward to it.”

Regatta president David Skegg said despite Covid challenges, this year would be an expansion on last year’s 85 events.

About 500 people will participate in physical events, from rowing to sailing and swimming, pageants and woodchopping state championships.

“The Regatta is very much a part of the fabric of Hobart society,” Mr Skegg said.

He said the Double Derwent yacht race from Montagu Bay to the Regatta Grounds has grown to include a return leg back to the start line.

“It’s quite amazing that people do that,” he said.

Royal Hobart Regatta wood chopping, 2021. Picture Eddie Safarik

The president said “blood, sweat and tears” from some 130 committee volunteers had poured into the Regatta.

In an effort to support the “desperate” live music scene, Mr Skegg said three bands were scheduled to perform at the Riverside Concert on the Saturday night, complementing the military band attraction.

On Sunday evening, it’ll be all about the fireworks.

Vice President Steve Dime said plenty of under 25-year-olds were participating in, and even running, events.

Attractions, vendors and sideshow equipment will begin bumping in on Sunday, which Mr Dime said “signifies the arrival of the Regatta” for many.

“People who drive past see the show, but they don’t have a concept of what happens on the foreshore and on the water,” he said.

Royal Hobart Regatta Parade of Sail, 2021.

“It goes back to 1838 when the first official Regatta was held at Pavilion Point.

“It’s one of the largest, longest-running aquatic events in the southern hemisphere.”

The prized Lipton Cup will see the return of last year’s winners Alice Grubb and Tom Stearnes competing for the cup.

The Parade of Power and Sail will feature some 200 vessels, and flagship HMAS Hobart would head up the Parade of Sale on Wednesday.

The Royal Hobart Regatta will run Saturday-Monday over the long weekend at McVilly Drive Regatta Grounds.

Tickets are $3 for the carnival, $5 for the Saturday Riverside Concert and $3 for the Sunday Riverside Concert and fireworks via royalhobartregatta.com/tickets