Sandy Bay Regatta smashes crowd attendance

MORE than 12,000 people soaked up the entertainment at The Wrest Point Sandy Bay Regatta on Australia Day.

Regatta chairman Paul Bottomley said he was delighted to see so many people enjoying themselves on the day.

“It was fantastic to see so many young kids joining in the rowing, canoeing, beep test, surf life saving and field games,” he said.

“The Life. Be in it activities were really popular with the younger children, while the tug-of-war proving to be a real crowd pleaser.”

Mr Bottomley said the Tassal Corporate Outrigger Canoe was also very popular.

“…We will be building on it in the coming years. We want to get as many people enjoying the River Derwent as possible,” he said.

The 26 January event also featured the Hobart Citizenship Ceremony run by the Hobart City Council and presided over by the Lord Mayor, Damon Thomas.

The Wrest Point Sandy Bay Regatta, which prides itself on introducing young families to water sports and providing a great low-cost day out, has been running since 1849.

It is one of the longest-running regattas in the world.