Henley-on-Todd Regatta: Difference between revisions
no reason to believe this was the first regatta cancelled due to rain or flooding |
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[[File:Boat Race in the Desert.jpg|thumb|Competition at 51st Henley-on-Todd Regatta in August 2012]] |
[[File:Boat Race in the Desert.jpg|thumb|Competition at 51st Henley-on-Todd Regatta in August 2012]] |
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The '''Henley-on-Todd Regatta''' (also called the '''Todd River Race''') is a "boat" race held annually in the typically dry sandy bed of the [[Todd River]] in [[Alice Springs]], [[Australia]]. |
The '''Henley-on-Todd Regatta''' (also called the '''Todd River Race''') is a "boat" race held annually in the typically dry sandy bed of the [[Todd River]] in [[Alice Springs]], [[Australia]].<ref "DownYourWay">{{cite AV media|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0076ydj |author=Brian Johnston |title=Archive on 4 - Down Your Way |location=[[Alice Springs]] |date=5 Nov 2016 |time=16:28 |authorlink=Brian Johnston}}</ref> |
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It began – and continues – cautiously as a joke at the expense of the original British |
It began – and continues – cautiously as a joke at the expense of the original British colonizers and the formal atmosphere of the British river races which continue today. Every year on the third Saturday of August,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Turner|first=Lloyd|title=Home|url=https://henleyontodd.com.au/|access-date=2022-02-25|website=Henley On Todd Regatta|language=en-US}}</ref> the town holds a mock [[regatta]] which large numbers of locals and tourists attend. Food and drink are sold at stalls, "no fishing" signs are put up, and the celebration takes all day. It is the only dry river regatta in the world; thus, in 1993 the event was cancelled for the year due to water in the river.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-11/yellow-submarine-built-for-henley-on-todd/5662836 |title=Yellow submarine to make a splash at Henley-on-Todd dry river bed regatta |last=Herrick |first=Robert |date=11 August 2014 |publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] |accessdate=7 February 2017}}</ref> However, the Alice Springs [[Hash House Harriers]] and Katherine Hash House Harriers running groups put their boat entry into the water and completed the course under protest of the track officials. This was televised by ABC and shown around Australia on the nightly news. |
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"Boats" are made from metal frames and hung with banners and advertisements, and teams of "rowers" run their boats in races through the hot sand. Races are also held in [[washtub]]s, human-sized [[hamster wheel]]s and at the final event, modified trucks decked out as boats are driven by teams armed with [[flour bomb]]s and [[water cannon]]. Many bystanders end up as casualties of the final battle. Traditional teams include |
"Boats" are made from metal frames and hung with banners and advertisements, and teams of "rowers" run their boats in races through the hot sand. Races are also held in [[washtub]]s, human-sized [[hamster wheel]]s and at the final event, modified trucks decked out as boats are driven by teams armed with [[flour bomb]]s and [[water cannon]]. Many bystanders end up as casualties of the final battle. Traditional teams include [[pirate]]s and [[vikings]], complete with costumes. Who wins the final battle can be difficult to determine; even the announcers occasionally get a blast. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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Reg Smith at the Alice Springs Meteorological Bureau proposed |
Reg Smith at the Alice Springs Meteorological Bureau proposed an actual regatta along the lines of the famous [[Henley Royal Regatta]] (at [[Henley-on-Thames]], thus the name of the regatta) in 1962. The idea was taken up by the [[Rotary International|Rotary club]] of Alice Springs, and despite the fact that the town was {{convert|1500|km}} from the nearest large body of water this was never seen as a problem. |
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Watching seemingly sane people race in bottomless "eights", "Oxford tubs", "bath tubs" and yachts through the deep coarse sand of the Todd River is a unique spectacle amongst world sporting events and attracts many local and international participants. |
Watching seemingly sane people race in bottomless "eights", "Oxford tubs", "bath tubs" and yachts through the deep coarse sand of the Todd River is a unique spectacle amongst world sporting events and attracts many local and international participants. |
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The Henley-On-Todd Regatta is run entirely on a volunteer basis by three Rotary Clubs based in 'the Alice'. |
The Henley-On-Todd Regatta is run entirely on a volunteer basis by three Rotary Clubs based in 'the Alice'. |
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The Todd River was named by [[Surveying|surveyor]] W. W. Mills |
The Todd River was named in 1871 by [[Surveying|surveyor]] [[William Mills (surveyor)|W. W. Mills]] after [[Charles Todd (pioneer)|Sir Charles Todd]],<ref>[https://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/placenames/view.jsp?id=19020 Todd River] Northern Territory Government Place Names Register Retrieved 9 June 2020.</ref> Superintendent of Telegraphs and Postmaster General of [[South Australia]], who was the driving force for constructing the [[Australian Overland Telegraph Line]] from [[Port Augusta, South Australia|Port Augusta]] to [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]]. The river is usually dry, but prone to [[flooding]] during the wet season. Mills also named a waterhole in the bed of the Todd River as Alice Springs<ref>[https://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/placenames/view.jsp?id=23882 Alice Springs (waterhole)] Northern Territory Government Place Names Register Retrieved 9 June 2020.</ref> for Todd's wife, Alice, and this name was subsequently used for the [[Alice Springs Telegraph Station|telegraph station]],<ref>[https://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/placenames/view.jsp?id=10221 Alice Springs Telegraph Station] Northern Territory Government Place Names Register Retrieved 9 June 2020.</ref> and later [[Alice Springs|the town]].<ref>[https://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/placenames/view.jsp?id=10219 Alice Springs (town)] Northern Territory Government Place Names Register Retrieved 9 June 2020.</ref> |
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==See also== |
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{{Portal|Australia}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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* [http://www.henleyontodd.com.au/ Henley-on-Todd Regatta Official website] – Photos, history, contacts, events |
* [http://www.henleyontodd.com.au/ Henley-on-Todd Regatta Official website] – Photos, history, contacts, events |
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* [http://www.smh.com.au/news/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/2005/02/17/1108500201577.html Sydney Morning Herald on Alice Springs] – Includes references to the Todd River and the Henley-on-Todd Regatta |
* [http://www.smh.com.au/news/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/2005/02/17/1108500201577.html Sydney Morning Herald on Alice Springs] – Includes references to the Todd River and the Henley-on-Todd Regatta |
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[[Category:Festivals in the Northern Territory]] |
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[[Category:Recurring events established in 1962]] |
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[[Category:1962 establishments in Australia]] |
[[Category:1962 establishments in Australia]] |
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[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1962]] |
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1962]] |
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[[Category:Boat shows in Australia]] |
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[[Category:Boat races in Australia]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:27, 14 February 2024
The Henley-on-Todd Regatta (also called the Todd River Race) is a "boat" race held annually in the typically dry sandy bed of the Todd River in Alice Springs, Australia.[1]
It began – and continues – cautiously as a joke at the expense of the original British colonizers and the formal atmosphere of the British river races which continue today. Every year on the third Saturday of August,[2] the town holds a mock regatta which large numbers of locals and tourists attend. Food and drink are sold at stalls, "no fishing" signs are put up, and the celebration takes all day. It is the only dry river regatta in the world; thus, in 1993 the event was cancelled for the year due to water in the river.[3] However, the Alice Springs Hash House Harriers and Katherine Hash House Harriers running groups put their boat entry into the water and completed the course under protest of the track officials. This was televised by ABC and shown around Australia on the nightly news.
"Boats" are made from metal frames and hung with banners and advertisements, and teams of "rowers" run their boats in races through the hot sand. Races are also held in washtubs, human-sized hamster wheels and at the final event, modified trucks decked out as boats are driven by teams armed with flour bombs and water cannon. Many bystanders end up as casualties of the final battle. Traditional teams include pirates and vikings, complete with costumes. Who wins the final battle can be difficult to determine; even the announcers occasionally get a blast.
History
[edit]Reg Smith at the Alice Springs Meteorological Bureau proposed an actual regatta along the lines of the famous Henley Royal Regatta (at Henley-on-Thames, thus the name of the regatta) in 1962. The idea was taken up by the Rotary club of Alice Springs, and despite the fact that the town was 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) from the nearest large body of water this was never seen as a problem.
Watching seemingly sane people race in bottomless "eights", "Oxford tubs", "bath tubs" and yachts through the deep coarse sand of the Todd River is a unique spectacle amongst world sporting events and attracts many local and international participants.
The Henley-On-Todd Regatta is run entirely on a volunteer basis by three Rotary Clubs based in 'the Alice'.
The Todd River was named in 1871 by surveyor W. W. Mills after Sir Charles Todd,[4] Superintendent of Telegraphs and Postmaster General of South Australia, who was the driving force for constructing the Australian Overland Telegraph Line from Port Augusta to Darwin. The river is usually dry, but prone to flooding during the wet season. Mills also named a waterhole in the bed of the Todd River as Alice Springs[5] for Todd's wife, Alice, and this name was subsequently used for the telegraph station,[6] and later the town.[7]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Brian Johnston (5 November 2016). Archive on 4 - Down Your Way. Alice Springs. Event occurs at 16:28.
- ^ Turner, Lloyd. "Home". Henley On Todd Regatta. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ^ Herrick, Robert (11 August 2014). "Yellow submarine to make a splash at Henley-on-Todd dry river bed regatta". ABC. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- ^ Todd River Northern Territory Government Place Names Register Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ Alice Springs (waterhole) Northern Territory Government Place Names Register Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ Alice Springs Telegraph Station Northern Territory Government Place Names Register Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ Alice Springs (town) Northern Territory Government Place Names Register Retrieved 9 June 2020.
External links
[edit]- Henley-on-Todd Regatta Official website – Photos, history, contacts, events
- Sydney Morning Herald on Alice Springs – Includes references to the Todd River and the Henley-on-Todd Regatta