Military hit the water gunning for back-to-back titles at Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta

Sergeant Vittoria Vitiello from 1st Combat Engineer Regiment is leading the garrison team for the Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta on Sunday in the boat that won last year’s race.

Sergeant Vittoria Vitiello from 1st Combat Engineer Regiment is leading the team for the Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta on Sunday, June 8. Their vessel won last year's race.

This weekend, for Sergeant Vittoria Vitiello, there is a lot riding on a collection of more than 500 empty beer cans arranged in the shape of a budget catamaran.

Destined to help her and five teammates from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment (CER) row to victory on the high seas of Mindil Beach, the vessel will be one of many hopefuls at this year’s Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta on Sunday.

While it might not look like the speediest boat, the small float rode last year’s team to victory in the Beer Can Boat Race.

The team from the garrison won the Beer Can Boat Race in 2024 at the Darwin Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

And this year’s are feeling the pressure.

“We’re a little bit stressed as we’ve got big shoes to fill,” Sergeant Vitiello said.

“Our members are super excited to be a part of this and try and hold the title.”

Since being posted to Darwin seven years ago, Sergeant Vitiello has attended the Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta – which also has lots of activities for kids – every year with her young family who “love it”.

This year will be the transport of operations and control warrant officer’s (TOCWO) first one competing in the race while holding the dual hats of captain and safety officer.

When asked how she feels leading safety at an event where boats are made from beer cans, Sergeant Vitiello said it was a “surprisingly safe” experience.

Sergeant Vittoria Vitiello has been posted in Darwin for seven years.

“We’ve mitigated our boat floats our members will be wearing our PVs which are life preservation vests,” she added.

“And to my understanding we’re in hip deep water so at any stage our members will be able to get out and walk.”

The key success in retaining ‘pretty cool title’

In the lead up to the weekend, the team have been replacing any crushed or water-filled beer cans on the boat with newer empty ones and giving the boat a new set of colours to match the CER team.

This week, the team have been replacing old and leaky beer cans with new ones and touching up the winning vessel.

Sergeant Vitiello said the key to the team’s success, from looking at photos of the event last year, appeared to be their pure determination.

“And it’s also bragging rights at the end of the day,” she said. “Whether it’s bragging rights with the other boat makers or bragging rights at work.

“Not everyone can say that they built a boat out of beer cans, competed and won in Darwin in croc-infested waters. I guess that’s a pretty cool title to hold onto.

Those taking part from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment are feeling the pressure to win on Sunday.

“You don’t get posted to Darwin very often, but when you do you make the most of it.

“We just want to be a part of the community spirit and have a great day in a safe way and hopefully win.”

The Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta is happening on Mindil Beach on Sunday, June 8. To find out more click here.

Originally published as Military hit the water gunning for back-to-back titles at Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta