Every year on August 15th, dozens of self-proclaimed captains lead their bathtub crafts along the Meuse River. La Régate Internationale de Baignoires takes place annually in Dinant, in the province of Namur, Belgium. The regatta was first organised in 1982. Since then, it has grown from a local event to an international gathering.
Dinant International Bathtub Regatta Rules
The rules of the water race are extremely simple. Every team must show their craft to take part in the competition. The craft must consist of at least one bathtub and no motor—it must be driven by human or natural powers. The rest is totally up to captains—they can decorate their crafts and enhance them with elements that increase their floating abilities. The size of a team also doesn't matter: it could be one man leading a tub or a crew of ten people.
Around 50 teams show up to compete annually. They decorate their tubs with a certain theme that changes every year. At the conclusion of the day, prizes are presented for the tubs adorned with the most vibrant decorations and those that most effectively align with the yearly theme. However, captains should be careful and not overload their crafts with decorations, as teams are expected to complete a distance of 0.6 mi (1 km) down the river. Participants must also show respect to one another: the rules forbid attempts to sink other racers and their crafts.
The Dinant International Bathtub Regatta attracts spectators from near and far, who gather along the riverbanks to cheer on the participants and enjoy the display. This event is more like a parade than a race. Participants occasionally dress up in funny costumes to amuse themselves and the spectators and sometimes fall overboard, drenching passing spectators.
Tub sailors and spectators are free to attend the regatta. Every year, up to 25,000 people gather at Boulevard des Souverains on the banks of the river to observe this funny and absurd regatta, drink beer, and have fun.
