While dragon boat teams paddled with determination elsewhere, barmy behaviour and balmy weather ruled in Stanley yesterday.
As always, on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the expatriate stronghold was awash with sea water and lager.
But the event was bitter-sweet, with one long-standing ingredient present for the last time.
The crowd of about 700 people on Stanley Main Beach gave a rousing reception to the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch, who bade a fond farewell on behalf of the British Forces, though they too joined in the party spirit.
The final withdrawal of the garrison meant the Royal Navy could not lend a boat this year.
But the Black Watch provided musical accompaniment and, by the end of the afternoon, a conga of happy, skimpily clad revellers had formed behind them.