Royal Hobart Regatta
royal hobart regatta series aquatic competition display held annually hobart tasmania australia tasmania oldest sporting event regatta began event run three day incorporates public holiday observed southern tasmania second monday february regularly well attended public addition local interstate competitor beginning regatta well supported royal navy recent year royal australian navy sends warship serve flagship three day spectacle royal australian air force also regularly performs aerobatic display using military aircraft raaf roulette australian army elite red beret parachute regiment previously provided sky diving display governance royal hobart regatta executed association name royal hobart regatta association association controlled board executive committee current president ross doddridge december first hobart town anniversary regatta held hobart celebrate anniversary thcentury european discovery tasmania dutch explorer abel tasman made first reported european sighting island november decided annual anniversary regatta held include wearing sprig silver wattle blossom tied british navy blue ribbon tradition instituted governor tasmania sir john franklin franklin provided free food beer spectator tradition free entry continues day monday declared public holiday governor oldest public holiday still continuing australia since regatta held january february rather december regatta february first called royal hobart regatta title conferred king george v cancelled due black tuesday bushfire february regatta continued throughout world war world war ii december commemorated th anniversary abel tasman exploration february people attend regatta single day number represents hobart population th regatta february commemorated th anniversary event royal hobart regatta played host ten royal visit notable visit queen elizabeth ii prince philip arrived aboard hmy britannia preparation occasion main grandstand extended accommodated royal stayed lunch departing sydney late afternoon originally staged pavilion point regatta moved ground near macquarie point known regatta ground queen domain along western side river derwent record indicate move necessitated following quarrel government house concerning broken beer bottle along macquarie access site along mcvilly drive ground shared hobart cenotaph war memorial tasmanians fallen global conflict primary regatta structure site john colville memorial grandstand pay tribute member aquatic fraternity fell world war stone tablet laid commemorate th anniversary regatta plethora event take place year include jet ski power boat race dragon boat racing tug war open water swimming sailing rowing woodchopping also ambassador quest regatta always official attendance ceremony governor commencing adjacent montagu bay trans derwent swim see competitor cross derwent river estuary distance km recent year return trip added extra race paddling event see kayakers travel tasman bridge bowen bridge returning finish line royal hobart regatta ground total distance km covered woodchopping see axemen across state compete various event age division chopping sawing block wood flagship vessel used commanding officer group naval ship finest largest important one group thing royal hobart regatta website