Face of Nation : Darren Rushworth was the captain of Junior Balik, the winner of this year’s Battle of Mindil competition.
“It was all about warfare, tactics and strategy … and then just sheer strength running up the beach,” he said.
When he’s not racing boats constructed from aluminium cans he’s the commanding officer of HMAS Coonawarra, and his team was made up of his Navy colleagues.
“We’re all professional mariners. A few of us might be engineers, naval architects, and even the odd physical training instructor, to make sure we paddle fast.”
The team used 2,500 cans to construct a competitive entry. Others made more shambolic attempts for regatta glory, more invested in immersing themselves in Territory culture.
“We decided we wanted to enter because we’re new to the Territory and we just wanted to get involved in the spirit of things,” said Jodie McDonough, originally from Perth and crew member of the boat Glue It and Screw It.
Her team’s boat, made purely from beer cans and duct tape, was aptly named after its construction process.
“It’s Glue It and Screw It, which we came up with while we were making it, screwing and gluing it together,” said Ms Kirke.
The Perth-siders said they were not afraid of the stingers and crocodiles that frequent Darwin’s waters.
