The 4th Belgrade Regatta succeeded in joining numerous diverse participants and creating the coolest three-hour party on the Sava by joining sport and our innate love of river.
When we arrived to Makiš, the predetermined start of the Belgrade regatta, we thought that we got lost as there was no one to be seen on the road. However, soon we saw a sign “Belgrade Regatta” directing us and proving us we were wrong. When we saw crews lowering their boats in the river with loud music and laughter we realized – it’s going to be a day to remember.
Those who didn’t have real boats didn’t let themselves be discouraged – with little imagination they made rafts themselves. And one of such vessels drew attention of all participants of Belgrade regatta. It was made of a large number of plastic bottles with four buckets turned upside down as rowers’ seats. Only the paddles were real.
Surely everyone present considered this crew to be the most original one, but as the organizers were to select the merriest crew – we can say that it was a strong competition, participants were all singing and dancing and the Belgrade regatta didn’t even start yet.
And it’s no wonder; right after we embarked the “Topčiderka”, the DJ playing the music promised us a great party on the water. With the first beats, the TDI radio presenters announced the beginning of the Regatta. About 50 boats set off with ovations, and the crews raised the paddles and started having great time…
The finish of the Belgrade regatta was near Ada Ciganlija, 6.5 kilometers downriver and about three hours of rowing. To us it felt like an hour had passed.
“Topčiderka” was like a floating stage spreading the great music so the crews couldn’t decide if they would rather party or raw. The atmosphere was heating up. From the beginning two boats separated among others as the most cheerful and loudest ones: “Kobre” with a bit older crew and “Ris” with much more numerous and younger crew.
They were circling around our boat inviting us to join them – to get a feeling of that struggle with the river that made them so merry. When they started jumping into the river we felt like joining them – forget about everything and follow them swimming in the emerald waves of the Sava river.
We were stunned by the beauty of the surroundings. Along the river bank, both on the Makiš and New Belgrade side of the river, adorable raft-houses, a true little relaxation and enjoyment paradises on the edge of the nation’s capital adorned the banks. Many of these houses were so beautiful that they left everyone on board breathless, and people relaxing on terraces didn’t miss the opportunity to greet the Belgrade Regatta.
We were a half an hour away from the finish of the Belgrade regatta when we had to leave its participants at Ada Međica and head separate ways, but only for a while – we welcomed them all tired of rowing, singing and dancing at the finish line.
The title of the merriest crew went to the boat “Ris”, and these “sailors” knew just how to celebrate it.
“This is our third Regatta. It’s a great experience; there was so much positive energy and great atmosphere today here on the Sava. Every year more and more people join our crew and now we can barely all manage to get into the boat”, commented Tanja Tomić, a crew member of the “Ris”, for Serbia.com.
The crew members of the “Kobra” were not disappointed either, as they dedicated this Regatta to a special girl who brought great joy to whole Serbia. “We did this for our Milica Mandić, our golden Olympian”, said Rade Peštar, the “Kobra” crew member.
After the Regatta the manifestation continued with the head-to-head rafting competition. The competitors were supported by loud cheering from the shore, and the “Alfa tim 1” took the first place.
Later that afternoon the tournament in beach volleyball closed the “Belgrade Regatta” that during the past four years became one of the biggest capital’s attractions and the true challenge for all river admirers.
