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Print7 News Features: 7 Down Under - Beer Can Regatta
You won't see this in the Olympics. A race on the water where the riders are getting canned it's called the Beer Can Regatta. And it's the toast of one part of Australia. 7's Shireen Sandoval take us back Down Under.
WSVN -- From the magic of movie making to the must see and do in the Down Under. Tonight, we set sail to Darwin, a place where a "can" do attitude can float any boat.
Sun, surf, sand and cans?
Des Gellert, Beer Regatta President: "It's a seven hour party."
It's the best way to describe Australia's 39th Beer Can Regatta.
Mick Keeley Extravacanz Skipper: "It's obviously a novelty thing to build boats out of cans, doesn't matter what can it is."
It's mostly beer cans...cheers mate!
Des Gellert, Beer Regatta President: "This is Darwin in the northern territory and we love to party. It's a day of mayhem, getting out in the sun, having some fun with your mates."
The annual race is held on the beautiful sand paper colored beaches of Darwin in northern Australia.
The beer-canned boats attract thousands of beach bums. They play tug a war, throw thongs (we call them flip flops) and listen to didgeridoo songs.
Shireen:tell me the name of your boat?
Girls: "we named it Sebastian
Shireen:so how long did it take you to build a boat, this particular one?
Girls:this one took us probably about 2 months, we spread it over a bit.
The main goal really isn't racing.
Girl:: "Last year it sank so we're hoping it floats in that moment."
It's about keeping your boat, afloat.
Shireen Sandoval: "What are the hazards of actually doing the regatta race?"
Mick Keeley Extravacanz Skipper: "Don't fall into water where there's crocodiles, watch out for box jellyfish."
Ahoy matey! Sometimes size does matter.
Mick Keeley Extravacanz Skipper: "Extravacanz, it's sort of extravcanz and extra cans. It took about seven months we've been building it, but I've been designing it a year before that."
The extra-va-can-z is made from 30,000 cans. Can you say beer belly? It holds up to 100 people and weighs over a ton.
The best race is saved for last when teams go swash-buckling mad and try to sink everything in sight. It becomes one big wacky water-world minus Kevin Costner.
The races go all day, they're quick and cover a short distance. It's the only time when man-overboard is a good day at the beach. Winning teams of the regatta get up to $2,500.
Don't miss Thursday, as we head to the outback to go glamping glamorous camping.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.beercanregatta.org.au/
www.australiasoutback.com