Darwin Beer Can Regatta  
Sporting Events diary (19/07/09, Annual event)
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| Mindil Beach | |||
| The Gardens, Northern Territory 0820 | |||
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A regatta like no other, with boats primarily built entirely from aluminum beer cans. This annual family event is rapidly becoming a spectacle for all who line Mindil Beach and cheer on the home-made boats of cans and cartons, as they flounder and sink in the shallows. The Darwin Beer Can Regatta started as an unusual by-product of the devastation caused to Darwin by Cyclone Tracy in 1974. A Darwin citizen, Lutz Frankenfeld, suggested a boat race with all the craft fabricated from beer cans in order to clear up the empties, and at the same time have a day of fun. The inaugural beer can race in 1975 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. Entry is by donation, with proceeds going to projects of the combined Lions Clubs of Darwin. |

Darwin Beer Can Regatta - attack