The Regatta was begun in 1974 by Darwin businessmen, Lutz Frankenfeld and Paul Rice-Chapman, The Darwin Regional Tourism Promotion Association was the organiser of the event until 1978 when it came under the aegis of the combined
Lions Clubs of Darwin. 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". Des Hoare the cricketer and then Sales Manager for Swan Brewery Darwin, presented Jaques with the winning cheques totalling $1,000, doubled because the beer can boat used only Swan beer cans. As Jaques used his 80 hp Mercury Motor he was also presented with a Mercury First sticker. The perpetual trophy is held within the NT Museum storage area and the keepsake trophy is on the mantlepiece at Jaques' home. Jaques holds copies of the news clippings and the photographs of the presentations. In 2020, the Beer Can Regatta was cancelled due to the
COVID pandemic. In its place, on 8 August a much smaller, 4-hour, Mini-Regatta was held in which the vessels were made of milk cartons. 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. In 2021, the Regatta was back at Mindil Beach on Sunday 5 September from 10am to 5pm, and in 2022 it was on 26 June. In 2023 it was held on 16 July. ==See also==