Yellow Submarine Sails to Victory at Float Your Boat
- intouch Magazine
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Against a sky of black and lake of blue, Yellow Submarine had all it needed to win the Newcastle Permanent People’s Choice award for Float Your Boat 2025.
One of 18 illuminated artworks to embark on this year’s nautical magical mystery tour of Lake Macquarie, Megan Evans’s homage to the Fab Four received the Beatlemania treatment in front of 12,000 people at live sites and in online voting alike to go top of the pops and win $1000.
“We were just looking to design something really exciting that young people and older people could get on board with and have a really good time,” Ms Evans said.
“We just have so much fun with Float Your Boat – it’s an innocent, childlike and really wonderful time and I think we get just as much out of it being on the water as the people on shore do.
“It’s wonderful to win the People’s Choice award, we came second last year so to take it the first prize this year was really exciting for everyone involved.”
Perpetual podium placer Steve Upton added his name to another page of the event’s history books, sailing to $600 and second place with his Flintstones-themed ‘Fred and Dino’ design.
Rounding out the top three for $400 in prize money was a pair of little vehicles that could – Hector the Helicopter tied to Gary Knott’s vessel Cattiva.
It was double delight for Ms Evans and Mr Upton, with their designs also earning Mayor’s Choice Awards in their respective size categories.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz flagged this year’s event as one of the best to date.
“From the fantastic and creative designs of the boaties to the colour and excitement of activations on land and lake at our live sites, there was something for everyone to enjoy at Float Your Boat,” he said.
“I congratulate all our entrants and encourage anyone with artistic flair, a boating licence or both to consider coming on board next time around.”
Live sites were packed out at this year’s event with 4000 attending at Toronto on opening night, followed by 5000 at Warners Bay foreshore and 3000 at Belmont on Saturday evening.
Highlights onshore included aerial acts by Three Ring Circus, illuminated artworks, a children’s jellyfish parade using recycled materials, Boombot Disco, on-water activations from Showtime Kayaking and Water Sports Central and live music.
Float Your Boat was hosted by Empire Marina Lake Macquarie and supported by Commander Sponsor Newcastle Permanent, and Admiral Sponsors Wangi District Workers Club, Belmont 16s Sailing Club and Cardiff Motor Group.
Visit lakemac.com.au to see the entrants and winners from this year’s fleet.
