Henley on Todd

The iconic ASSA ABLOY Henley-On-Todd Regatta is the only boat race in the world that is cancelled if there is water.

Locals are looking forward to the 49th Henley-On-Todd Regatta to be held on the 21st August as a chance to let their hair down and become Pirates and Vikings or a boy/girl in the Navy.

In custom-designed bottomless boats, contestants, run, scramble and stumble their way through river sand, in a variety of traditionally inspired but novel events.  

Who says you need water for a boat race anyway?  Back in 1962, some workmates at the Alice Springs Bureau of Meteorology saw an opportunity in the lack of rain and a proposed boat race based on the famous Henley-On-Thames in England.

Rotarian Reg Smith devised the event at a time when the newly formed Rotary Club was scratching its head for a different project to raise funds for charity.

When asked by a mate whether the boats would be towed or pushed through the river sand, Reg replied “neither – we cut the bottoms out and carry them!”

Reg Smith died in 2004 but his unique idea is now a major tourist icon.

The English Henley-On-Thames event has been held every year since 1839 except during the two world wars.  The Henley-On-Todd was also cancelled once – in 1993 when the Todd River flooded.

The Alice Springs event has also made up its own rules – there are no rules!  For example, entries in the “Bring Your Own Boat” race must enclose the four member crew and “resemble a boat”.  That’s it.

Oh and the boat should also be light enough to carry and have no sharp edges in case the crew falls.

Picture the scene,  A 140 metre course on a dry, sandy river bed, lined by river red gum trees and surrounded by the majestic MacDonnell Ranges.

The finale is staged with the Great Battle Boat Spectacular, when three massive boats battle it out with flour mortars, high-pressure water cannons, coloured smoke bombs, water-filled balloons and bags of flour.

The Vikings traditionally win with the battle that goes before draws shouts and roars from the excited crowd until the last couple of years when the Pirates in full regalia, fought hard to take the crown in 2008.  The Navy crew has started to show their battle skills, giving the 2009 battle a fight to the final bell.

Earlier, the Bath tub Derby has four crew members carrying a metal bath tub with a person inside to the turning buoy.  The Mini and Maxi Yachts are skippered by a crew of between 4-10 people.  If they call all get their legs to co-ordinate, it is possible to complete the race, but it is more fun to fall over in a heap!

In the Surf Rescue event, lifesavers use shovels to paddle along the rails in the sand to a damsel in distress.  In the Sand Ski event, the crews try to cross the Todd River using water skis.