Henley on Todd Regatta
60 YEARS AGO, a member of one of Alice Springs’ Rotary Clubs decided to borrow the famous Henley-on-Thames Regatta idea to raise money for his local charity. The only difference being that the Thames River is full of water, while the Todd River in Alice Springs is, well, dry.
Participants can borrow a boat or build their own, cutting out the bottom so they can hop in, carry the vessel and make room for their scurrying feet to shuffle as fast as they can to get to the finish line. And that’s not all there is for this eclectic day of mayhem.
To kick it all off, there’s a street parade through the Todd Mall, followed by a full-day of competitions with a lolly scramble for the kids, sand shovelling, boogie boarding, and more. Enjoy food, live music, children’s entertainment, and a licensed bar.
For the local Rotary Clubs in the Centre, the regatta is the major fundraising event, raising close to $2million throughout its 60-year history. With over 20 races in the one day, it’s a huge affair with shrills and thrills from audiences and participants alike. Yabba-dabba-doo!
Henley on Todd Regatta
WHEN SAT 20 AUG | 11AM-5PM
AT SNOW KENNA PARK, ALICE SPRINGS
COST FREE-$157
INFO henleyontodd.com.au
Photo: Lisa Hatz Photography
