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 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'. ==See also==