Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta

Now a world-famous event, Darwin once again plays host to the Darwin Beer Can Regatta where boats made out of beer and soft drink cans vie for line honours in a thirstily contested race held on Darwin’s Mindil Beach.

Editorial Review

Sunday, 13 July 2008
10am to 5pm
Mindil Beach, Darwin NT Australia

Entrance by gold coin donation with proceeds to projects of the combined Lions Clubs of Darwin.

No BYO - Bar facilities available. Mindil Market food and craft stalls will be available from 10am to 10pm.

Only Darwin could create a fantastic day for the entire family around beer cans. In fact, so successful has the event first held in 1975 become, that it draws spectators and tourists from all over Australia. Interestingly, the Beer Can Regatta was borne out of the devastation created when Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin in 1974. Manpower was brought in from interstate and the southern states to assist with the clean up, however many of the men who assisted were not used to the humidity – so naturally the consumption of beer in Darwin increased dramatically. Given there was no recycling program at the time, empty beer cans begun to pile up. Enter Darwin local Lutz Frankenfeld, who came up with the idea of a boat race, where all the boats would be constructed out of beer cans. Lutz’s strategy was to give the local population (and clean up workers) an incentive to clear up some of the empty beer cans, and at the same time have a day of fun.

Thirty-four years later, the event is stronger than ever and has grown to include a long list of activities including a hole-in-one where golfers try and hit the ball into a dinghy 70 metres out to sea, tug-of-war, kids’ races, a sandcastle competition, a ladies and men’s thong throwing competition and the much anticipated Henley on Mindil – where a boat is raced on sand instead of water. There’s also a Dragon Boat demonstration, a junior soft can boat race, an adult boat can challenge, a junior kayak paddle and the battle of Mindil – a boat race where anything goes with crew tactics known to include flour bombs and water guns!

A great day for the entire family and a fun way to raise money for local charities – all thanks to the humble – and sadly empty – can of beer!

Cath Pope Managing Editor Citysearch