Inspired by a story he heard on the radio a few Frenchman sailing down the river in the tub, Dinant’s famous mustached chef, Alberto Serpagli, found about 40 abandoned tubs in nearby Charleroi, and sold them at the local market as a part of his grand idea. https://youtu.be/yRVYxPv9Tb4
The international regatta is one-kilometer long and runs along the river Meuse. It attracts quite 25,000 people once a year who watch it from the banks of the river and from the Charles solon Bridge.
Human force must propel the bathtubs only to think paddling, adding to the entertainment. The event is totally free, whether for spectators or for participants. While a standard bathtub must be incorporated somewhere within the flotation a part of the craft, racers are at liberty to accessorise in creative ways around each year’s theme.
This year, the makeshift-boats are celebrating “Films, past and present”. All crafts must be self-propelled (no motors allowed) to qualify for the event. Still going strong after over 20 years, fair play isn’t lost during this unwieldy competition. Rules exist outlawing motors, crafts lacking a bath, and attempts by contestants to sink other vessels.
One battle they are doing gladly engaging in, however, is that the spirited launching of buckets of water at each other as they float slowly up the river within the hot sun.
Perennially growing crowds gather from miles around annually to sit down along the riverbank and revel in fine Belgian beers, laughing at the outrageous boats and relaxing within the sun.
