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The Aussies have a sense of humor, something well illustrated by hosting a regatta on the dry bed of the Todd River in Alice Springs— the Henley on Todd Regatta. Inspired by England's Henley Royal Regatta with a distinctly Aussie twist, this boat race stands out for one unique reason: there's no water involved.
Originating in 1962 as a satirical response to the more aristocratic Henley Royal Regatta, the Rotary Clubs of Alice Springs created the Henley on Todd Regatta. Regatta competitors "row" their boats by carrying them along the sandy riverbed in various categories, including yachts, rowing eight-oared shells, and Oxford tubs. These bottomless "boats" are held around their waist while they sprint, stumble and stagger to the finish line. A new addition, the "Battle of the Boats," features flour and water bombs and high-pressure fire hoses in a mock naval engagement.
The Henley on Todd Regatta's unique blend of humor, fun, and community spirit makes it a highlight of the Alice Springs event calendar. The event includes a highly anticipated parade and a series of wacky competitions, from shovel-propelled sand boogie boarding to sand shoveling (there is a sand theme). Proceeds from the event support local, national, and international humanitarian projects, thus amplifying the regatta's beneficial impact through finances and laughter each year.
Rain is the only factor that could cancel this eccentric event, which occurred only once in the regatta's history in 1993.
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