Darwin Beer Can Regatta

[2] The vessels are not tested for seaworthiness, prior to water events, and those that fall apart are part of the day's entertainment.

A great many sundry events go along with the regatta, including concerts, sandcastles, a thong-throwing contest, novelty hat competition, and the "Henley-on-Mindil" competition (named after the Henley-on-Todd Regatta), where participants run their "boats" around like Flintstones cars.

[2] The 2014 Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta took place on 6 July 2014, watched by 15,000 people and attended by visitors from all over Australia.

The winner of the first beer can regatta was Kevin Jaques driving the Darwin Powerboat Club's entry "Pistol Knight".

Located at Darwin Waterfront Precinct, instead of the usual Mindil Beach venue where as many as 15,000 watched the races, only a few hundred spectators attended.

Darwin's Beer Can Regatta in August 1977
Watercraft at 2009 Darwin Beer Can Regatta
Typical more or less floating construction used in the regatta, now a piece of the collection at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney