Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta

15 Jul 2012

This annual family event is a spectacle for all who line Mindil Beach and cheer on the home-made boats of cans, plastic soft drink bottles and cartons, as they flounder and sink in the shallows.

A regatta like no other, with boats primarily built entirely from aluminium beer cans. There are loads of activities and competitions for everyone to do which are held throughout the day. The Mindil Beach Markets will be trading all day as well.

The first Beer Can Regatta was an attempt to clean up the litter (mainly beer cans) in and around Darwin. Paul Rice-Chapman and Lutz Frankenfeld jointly developed the idea of a Beer Can Regatta, and things have gone on annually from there.

The inaugural beer can race in 1974 was an instant success, and has developed into a major event with boat entries ranging from 1 to 12 metres and some even with secret weaponry.