Regatta is lager than life
NORTHERN Territorians have taken to crocodileinfested waters on a fleet of boats built from empty beer tinnies to celebrate a uniquely Australian way of recycling and fundraising.
About 16,000 people gathered at Darwin’s Mindil Beach yesterday for the 43rd annual Beer Can Regatta.
A frothy flotilla competed for bragging rights and to raise funds for the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and SIDS & Kids NT.
Event spokesman Des Gellert said some of the homemade watercraft were more seaworthy than others.
Sturdy vessels were made from thousands of cans but some flimsy aluminium creations struggled to stay afloat.
“The rule is, if your boat breaks up you jump in and collect the cans,” Mr Gellert said.