It’s a beautiful day in Belgium. Your family is picnicking on the cliffs, the water is sparkling, sunbeams bounce off of the River Meuse as your loved ones sail off….in their bathtubs. Quoi? Oui, you have arrived at Dinant’s annual International Bathtub Regatta. Fleets of seaworthy bathtubs float down the river in early evening one day every August.
Don’t worry, international sailors! The Bathtub Regatta is open to all nationalities and expects all sorts of decorative vessels. The one requirement is that there must be at least one floating bathtub on every boat in the regatta (although who says it must be seen?) Prizes are awarded for speed and technical endeavor, but the judges spice it up for prizes of beauty, novelty or creativity and best representation of the town. Past local bathtubs include butcher and ostrich decorations (not on the same tub, clearly).
Cheating in the regatta is strictly forbidden: Absolutely no motors (ensuring this is more a leisurely jaunt down the river instead of a fast paced regatta) and no sinking other competitors. Pirating vessels is a strict no-no! Dinant is a medieval town, complete with citadel and cathedral, dating back as early as the 11th century, so watch out! Who knows what the punishment is for cheating instead of floating…
This is a pretty unusual use for bathtubs…what other unusual experiences have you had staying afloat?
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