Royal Hobart Regatta | |
---|---|
Also called | The Regatta |
Observed by | Southern Tasmania |
Type | Southern public holiday |
Significance | Australia's largest aquatic event |
Celebrations | Sea farers |
Date | Three days, ending on the second Monday in February |
2024 date | 10–12 February |
Frequency | Annual |
First time | 1 December 1838 |
Started by | Governor of Tasmania - Sir John Franklin |
The Royal Hobart Regatta is a series of aquatic competitions and displays held annually in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia and is Tasmania's oldest sporting event. The regatta began in 1838.[1][2]
The event runs for three days and incorporates a public holiday observed in Southern Tasmania on the second Monday in February.[3]
It is regularly well attended by the public in addition to local and interstate competitors.
In its beginning the Regatta was well supported by the Royal Navy. In recent years the Royal Australian Navy, sends a warship to serve as flagship for the three day spectacle. The Royal Australian Air Force, also regularly performs aerobatic displays using military aircraft such as the RAAF Roulettes. The Australian Army's elite Red Beret parachute regiment has previously provided sky diving displays.