# Royal St. John's Regatta

The Royal St. John's Regatta is North America's oldest annual sporting event with documented proof of 1816 boat races. There is credible contention that St. John's regattas were held even earlier than 1816, likely in the 18th century. The races of 1818 were held on September 22 in order to coincide with the 57th anniversary of King George III's official coronation on September 22, 1761. It is from this date that the Regatta Committee takes its anniversary. In August 2018 the Royal St. John's Regatta celebrated its 200th anniversary.
Held on Quidi Vidi Lake in St. John's, Newfoundland, the Regatta is scheduled for the first Wednesday of August. If weather and wind conditions are not suitable, the event is postponed until the next suitable day. Since Regatta Day is a civic holiday in St. John's (replacing the Civic Holiday observed in most other Canadian provinces on the first Monday in August), this means that the weather actually determines whether or not workers have the day off – a matter sometimes complicated by late-night partying associated with the end of the George Street Festival the night before. This has led to the coining of the term "Regatta Roulette" where people head to George Street Festival or party elsewhere the night before and hope the weather is nice enough for the Regatta (and the holiday) the next day.
Crews row six-member, coxswained, fixed-seat racing shells that are as identical as possible and are the property of the Royal St. John's Regatta Committee. Men's crews row a 2.450 km course, women's row a 1.225 km course, and all crews are required to turn buoys and return to the start-finish line.
A growing number of people, local and foreign, visit Quidi Vidi Lake each year for the event, averaging around 50,000 in recent years. It has also become a popular spot for both provincial and federal politicians to meet the public. Aside from the rowing competitions, the Royal St. John's Regatta is well known for its lakeside entertainment. The Regatta host hundreds of booths operated by individuals and organizations, ranging from various games of chance to food and drink.

## History

There are records of rowing competitions in St. John's since at least 1816.
The regatta has long-standing ties with the Canadian monarchy: The regatta has been visited by members of the Royal Family, including Prince Albert Edward (later King Edward) in 1860 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1978. It has been cancelled due to the death of any monarch, and any year a coronation has taken place or a milestone jubilee celebrated, the regatta has been held in honour of the monarch. Its royal designation was incorporated in 1993, which prompted changes in the event and the development of a new crest. Don Johnson, Frederick Russell and Geoff Carnell collaborated in the effort to get permission to use the Royal prefix for the Regatta.
The first women's race in the St. John's Regatta was held in 1856. The winning crew of Quidi Vidi women was inducted into the Regatta Hall of Fame in recognition of their feat. It was nearly 100 years before women participated again. Beginning in 1949, women have rowed in nearly every Regatta, though a women's championship race was not introduced until 1979.

## Course records and record holders

Male Course Record: 8:51.32 (Crosbie Industrial Services 2007 – Championship Race)
Members:
Cox: Mark Hayward
Stroke: Brent Hickey
5: Adam Kavanagh
4: Ronny Whitten
3: Ed Williams
2: James Cadigan
1: Darryl Ryan
Coach: Bert Hickey
Female Course Record: 4:56.10 (M5 2018 – Amateur Race)
Members:
Cox: Dean Hammond
Stroke: Katie Wadden
5: Alyssa Devereaux
4: Jane Brodie
3: Nancy Beaton
2: Amanda Ryan
1: Amanda Hancock
Spare: Maria Clift

## Course record progression
### Male

| Year | Crew | Time | Race | Coxswain | Stroke | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1885 | Outer Cove | 9:20.00 | Fisherman | Walter Power | James Hickey | Nix Power | Michael Hanlon | Mike Stack | Walter Power Jr. | William Power |
| 1901 | Outer Cove | 9:13.80 | Fisherman | Walter Power | John Whelan | Dan McCarthy | Denis McCarthy | Denis Croke | John Nugent | Martin Boland |
| 1981 | Smith Stockley | 9:12.04 | Club | Jim Ring | Randy Ring | John Barrington | Tom Power | Brian Cranford | Bill Holwell | Paul Ring |
| 1982 | Outer Cove | 9:03.48 | Amateur | Mike Power | Andrew Boland | Bert Hickey | Campbell Feehan | Gerard Ryan | Jim Hibbs | Owen Devereaux |
| 1989 | RNC / Lakeshore Homes | 9:00.96 | Amateur | Bill Hickey | Campbell Feehan | Gerard Ryan | Albert Gibbons | Brian Cranford | Bill Holwell | Jim Carroll |
| 1991 | Smith Stockley – Outer Cove | 8:59.42 | Amateur | Rich Bailey | Jim Hibbs | John Barrington | Ken Power | David Kelly | Paul Boland | Bert Hickey |
| 1997 | Butternut | 8:57.10 | Amateur | Mike Summers | Mike Jardine | John Handrigan | Chris Barton | Sean Budgell | Albert Gibbons | Perry Cahill |
| 2007 | Crosbie Industrial Services | 8:54.06 | Amateur | Mark Hayward | Brent Hickey | Adam Kavanagh | Ron Whitten | Ed Williams | James Cadigan | Darryl Ryan |
| 2007 | Crosbie Industrial Services | 8:51.32 | Championship | Mark Hayward | Brent Hickey | Adam Kavanagh | Ron Whitten | Ed Williams | James Cadigan | Darryl Ryan |

### Female

| Year | Crew | Time | Race | Coxswain | Stroke | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1981 | Master Tire | 5:15.57 | Race #2 | Rich Bailey | Michelle Rice | Deanne Kearney | Diane Roche | Anita O'Donnell | Margo Walsh | Paula Whitney |
| 1989 | OZFM | 5:14.97 | Amateur | Mike Summers | Siobhan Duff | Allison Carroll | Leona Rockwood | Jackie Gellately | Carol Perry | Patti Pittman |
| 1990 | OZFM | 5:08.34 | Championship | Mike Summers | Siobhan Duff | Jackie Gellately | Leona Rockwood | Nancy Little | Joanne Gellately | Patti Pittman |
| 1994 | OZFM | 4:59.52 | Championship | Les Hynes | Siobhan Duff | Kim Miller | Cheri Whelan | Tracy Hogan | Caroline Burry | Patti Pittman |
| 2003 | OZFM | 4:56.70 | Amateur | Rich Bailey | Siobhan Duff | Tracy Hogan | Kristine Power | Jackie Handrigan | Nicolle Hamlyn | Amanda Hancock |
| 2018 | m5 | 4:56.10 | Amateur | Dean Hammond | Katie Wadden | Alyssa Devereaux | Jane Brodie | Nancy Beaton | Amanda Ryan | Amanda Hancock |

## Official race record times
### Female

| Race Category | Time | Year | Crew |
| Female Amateur | 4:56.10 | 2018 | M5 |
| Female Mercantile | 5:15.82 | 1997 | North Atlantic Petroleum |
| Female Intermediate | 5:11.15 | 2004 | Compusult |
| Female Juvenile | 5:25.66 | 2002 | Noble Drilling |
| Female Midget | 5:48.39 | 2001 | Noble Drilling |
| Female Commercial | 5:33.19 | 2001 | Thrifty Car Rental |
| Female District | 5:29.86 | 2001 | CFS St. John's-Sports Shop |
| Female General Workers | 5:30.56 | 2004 | RJG Construction |
| Female All Comers | 5:45.91 | 2001 | Appleton Rum |
| Female Masters | 5:12.53 | 2012 | OZFMM |
| Female Memorial | 5:31.49 | 2016 | Port Authority |
| Female Club | 5:44.23 | 2005 | Bella Vista |
| Female Service | 5:55.68 | 2011 | Labrador Motors |
| Female Labour | 5:46.39 | 2012 | Statoil |
| Female Squirt | 2:37.60 | 2016 | FW Connolly Electrical |

### Male

| Race Category | Time | Year | Crew |
| Male Amateur | 8:54.06 | 2007 | Crosbie Industrial Services |
| Male Labour | 9:22.99 | 1987 | H.M. Penitentiary |
| Male Intermediate | 9:23.27 | 2001 | Academy Canada |
| Male Masters | 9:40.11 | 2012 | 3M Masters |
| Male Midget | 5:00.79 | 1995 | East Coast Marine |
| Male Juvenile | 9:43.07 | 1989 | Outer Cove-East Coast Marine |
| Male All Comers | 9:24.80 | 1995 | Concrete Products |
| Male Service | 9:03.64 | 1991 | Smith Stockley-Outer Cove |
| Male General Workers | 9:15.72 | 1981 | Smith Stockley |
| Male Commercial | 9:17.79 | 1991 | RNC Sportscraft |
| Male Squirt | 2:26.90 | 2016 | Green Sleeves/Men’s Den |

### Championship

| | Time | Year | Crew | Coxswain | Stroke | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Female | 4:57.78 | 2005 | Compusult A/Canada Games | Ron Boland | Katie Wadden | Laura Rice | Rachel Coffey | Valerie Earle | Kate Parsons | Jenn Squires |
| Male | 8:51.32 | 2007 | Crosbie Industrial Services | Mark Hayward | Brent Hickey | Adam Kavanagh | Ron Whitten | Ed Williams | James Cadigan | Darryl Ryan |

## Championship crews and times
### Male

| Year | Crew | Time |
| 1873 | Outer Cove | 12:05.0 |
| 1874 | Cancelled due to rain | |
| 1875 | All Comers | 11:35.0 |
| 1876 | Outer Cove | 10:40.0 |
| 1877 | Placentia | 10:28.0 |
| 1878 | All Comers | 09:58.0 |
| 1879 | Outer Cove | 10:11.0 |
| 1880 | Broad Cove | 10:04.0 |
| 1881 | Broad Cove | 09:45.0 |
| 1882 | Amateurs | 09:21.0 |
| 1883 | Outer Cove | 09:45.0 |
| 1884 | Outer Cove | 10:13.0 |
| 1885 | Outer Cove | 09:20.0 |
| 1886 | Outer Cove | 09:35.0 |
| 1887 | Outer Cove | 09:40.0 |
| 1888 | Tradesmen | 10:08.0 |
| 1889 | Outer Cove | 09:52.0 |
| 1890 | Torbay | 09:30.0 |
| 1891 | Torbay | 09:42.0 |
| 1892 | Cancelled due to fire | |
| 1893 | Outer Cove | 09:56.0 |
| 1894 | Outer Cove | 10:27.0 |
| 1895 | Torbay | 09:45.0 |
| 1896 | Juveniles | 09:58.5 |
| 1897 | Tradesmen | 09:45.8 |
| 1898 | Tradesmen | 09:30.6 |
| 1899 | S.O.E | 10:00.8 |
| 1900 | Torbay | 09:29.0 |
| 1901 | Outer Cove | 09:13.8 |
| 1902 | Outer Cove | 09:22.0 |
| 1903 | Job’s | 09:56.3 |
| 1904 | Blackhead | 09:21.3 |
| 1905 | Blackhead | 09:40.3 |
| 1906 | Blackhead | 09:34.0 |
| 1907 | Outer Cove | 09:53.2 |
| 1908 | Outer Cove | 09:45.0 |
| 1909 | Outer Cove | 09:38.2 |
| 1910 | Torbay | 09:36.6 |
| 1911 | Torbay | 09:45.0 |
| 1912 | L.O.A | 09:54.0 |
| 1913 | Torbay | 10:51.0 |
| 1914 | Logy Bay | 09:46.0 |
| 1915 | Cancelled due to war | |
| 1916 | Cancelled due to war | |
| 1917 | Cancelled due to war | |
| 1918 | Cancelled due to war | |
| 1919 | Logy Bay | 09:32.2 |
| 1920 | Truckmen | 10:06.0 |
| 1921 | Truckmen | 09:55.4 |
| 1922 | Outer Cove | 09.40.0 |
| 1923 | Outer Cove | 09:47.0 |
| 1924 | Truckmen | 09:51.0 |
| 1925 | Truckmen | 09:44.2 |
| 1926 | Outer Cove | 09:41.0 |
| 1927 | Amateurs | 09:50.8 |
| 1928 | Truckmen | 09:55.2 |
| 1929 | Labourers | 09:42.0 |
| 1930 | Labourers | 09:45.6 |
| 1931 | Fishermen | 09:47.0 |
| 1932 | St. Joseph’s | 09:44.0 |
| 1933 | Fishermen | 10:14.6 |
| 1934 | All Comers | 09:29.0 |
| 1935 | Police | 09:47.0 |
| 1936 | All Comers | 10:12.0 |
| 1937 | Police | 09:41.0 |
| 1938 | Police | 09:37.2 |
| 1939 | Police | 09:36.8 |
| 1940 | Cancelled due to war | |
| 1941 | Ex-Servicemen | 10:20.0 |
| 1942 | Canadian Navy | 10:09.0 |
| 1943 | Nfld. Regiment | 10:07.8 |
| 1944 | Labourers | 09:46.6 |
| 1945 | Labourers | 10:00.2 |
| 1946 | Police | 09:55.2 |
| 1947 | U.S. Army Docks | 09:59.4 |
| 1948 | Labourers | 11:09.0 |
| 1949 | Higher Levels (Intermediate) | 10:45.0 |
| 1950 | Higher Levels | 11:11.4 |
| 1951 | Amateurs | 10:27.2 |
| 1952 | Labourers | 10:15.0 |
| 1953 | Labourers | 09:51.4 |
| 1954 | U.S. Air Police | 09:56.0 |
| 1955 | U.S. Air Police | 10:06.0 |
| 1956 | Patricians | 10:01.0 |
| 1957 | St. Bon’s | 10:10.0 |
| 1958 | City Police | 09:45.0 |
| 1959 | William Summers Jr. | 09:49.2 |
| 1960 | William Summers Jr. | 09:51.0 |
| 1961 | William Summers Jr. | 10:10.0 |
| 1962 | William Summers Jr. | 10:01.4 |
| 1963 | William Summers Jr. | 10:08.0 |
| 1964 | William Summers Jr. | 10:07.8 |
| 1965 | Jerseyside | 10:54.8 |
| 1966 | Newfoundland Light & Power | 10:03.0 |
| 1967 | Warrens Texaco | 10:12.2 |
| 1968 | William Summers Jr. | 10:27.0 |
| 1969 | Newfoundland Light & Power | 10:03.0 |
| 1970 | Crosbie Services | 09:50.0 |
| 1971 | Newfoundland Light & Power | 10:02.0 |
| 1972 | Crosbie Services | 10:06.0 |
| 1973 | NAVFAC | 09:51.0 |
| 1974 | NF Light & Power and Hickman’s (Dead Heat) | 10:10.0 |
| 1975 | Hickman’s | 10:02.8 |
| 1976 | Placentia | 09:56.8 |
| 1977 | Placentia Lion’s | 09:54.2 |
| 1978 | Boys Club | 09:52.0 |
| 1979 | Smith-Stockley | 10:01.3 |
| 1980 | Boys Club | 09:46.9 |
| 1981 | Boys and Girls Club | 09:23.2 |
| 1982 | Outer Cove | 09:12.3 |
| 1983 | Outer Cove | 09:05.3 |
| 1984 | Outer Cove | 09:21.2 |
| 1985 | Smith-Stockley | 09:06.2 |
| 1986 | Smith-Stockley | 09:19.3 |
| 1987 | Smith Stockley | 09:55.1 |
| 1988 | RNC-Lakeshore Homes | 09:29.3 |
| 1989 | RNC-Lakeshore Homes | 09:01.2 |
| 1990 | RNC-Lakeshore Homes | 09:10.0 |
| 1991 | Smith Stockley-Outer Cove | 08:59.4 |
| 1992 | Smith Stockley-Outer Cove | 09:04.5 |
| 1993 | Outer Cove-Coldwell Banker | 09:20.2 |
| 1994 | Smith Stockley-Outer Cove | 09:08.3 |
| 1995 | Butternut Bread | 09:01.1 |
| 1996 | RNC-Grand Banks Alliance | 09:22.6 |
| 1997 | Butternut | 09:11.1 |
| 1998 | RNC-Discovery Springs | 09:16.3 |
| 1999 | NTV | 09:15.7 |
| 2000 | NTV | 09:08.6 |
| 2001 | NTV | 09:08.4 |
| 2002 | NTV | 09:07.2 |
| 2003 | NF Power | 09:05.6 |
| 2004 | NTV | 09:12.7 |
| 2005 | The Independent | 09:04.0 |
| 2006 | Crosbie Industrial | 09:24.5 |
| 2007 | Crosbie Industrial | 08:51.3 |
| 2008 | O’Dea Earle | 09:22.2 |
| 2009 | East Coast Maintenance Services | 09:09.7 |
| 2010 | Rogers Bussey Lawyers | 09:32.8 |
| 2011 | Rogers Bussey Lawyers | 09:10.8 |
| 2012 | Rogers Bussey Lawyers | 09:16.6 |
| 2013 | Toyota | 09:23.4 |
| 2014 | Bussey Howrood Lawyers | 09:14.5 |
| 2015 | Max Arts. Athletics Wellness | 09:26.32 |
| 2016 | Outer Cove | 09:09.68 |
| 2017 | Outer Cove | 08:59.70 |
| 2018 | Outer Cove | 09:06.34 |
| 2019 | Fine Strokes | 09:04.71 |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 | |
| 2021 | NTV | 9:36.99 |
| 2022 | NTV | 9:40.91 |
| 2023 | Fine Strokes | 9:15.71 |
| 2024 | Capital Home Hardware | 9:43.31 |

### Female

| YEAR | TEAM | TIME |
| 1979 | Health Science | 06:11.3 |
| 1980 | General Hospital | 05:50.0 |
| 1981 | Dunne’s Fuel | 05:36.3 |
| 1982 | General Hospital | 05:29.1 |
| 1983 | Dunne’s Fuel | 05:23.7 |
| 1984 | Central Dairies | 05:34.2 |
| 1985 | Central Dairies | 05:19.1 |
| 1986 | Ryan’s Construction | 05:24.8 |
| 1987 | Ryan’s Construction | 05:53.0 |
| 1988 | OZ FM | 05:20.3 |
| 1989 | OZ FM | 05:22.1 |
| 1990 | OZ FM | 05:08.3 |
| 1991 | Trinity Bay Offshore | 05:11.0 |
| 1992 | VOCM-Hibernia | 05:17.8 |
| 1993 | OZ FM-Mark’s Work Warehouse | 05:11.7 |
| 1994 | OZ FM | 04:59.5 |
| 1995 | Keyin Tech | 05:02.0 |
| 1996 | Keyin Tech | 05:18.6 |
| 1997 | Keyin Tech | 05:10.3 |
| 1998 | OZ FM | 05:04.5 |
| 1999 | Keyin College | 05:03.6 |
| 2000 | OZ FM | 05:07.8 |
| 2001 | Keyin College | 05:11.4 |
| 2002 | OZ FM | 05:08.3 |
| 2003 | OZ FM | 04:58.7 |
| 2004 | Jungle Jim’s | 05:06.5 |
| 2005 | Compusult A/Canada Games | 04:57.8 |
| 2006 | OZ FM | 05:16.2 |
| 2007 | O’Dea Earle | 05:06.2 |
| 2008 | H.J. O’Connell Construction | 05:03.5 |
| 2009 | JAC Marketing & Advertising / Canada Games | 05:08.3 |
| 2010 | m5 | 05:05.2 |
| 2011 | m5 | 04:59.3 |
| 2012 | Roebothan McKay Marshall | 05:04.2 |
| 2013 | Max Girls 1 | 05:12.4 |
| 2014 | Max Athletics Women | 05:11.8 |
| 2015 | Roebothan McKay Marshall | 05:18.44 |
| 2016 | m5 | 05:10.16 |
| 2017 | m5 | 05:00.71 |
| 2018 | m5 | 04:56.10 |
| 2019 | Hyflodraulic | 05:02.23 |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 | |
| 2021 | Hyflodraulic | 5:10.99 |
| 2022 | Hyflodraulic | 05:11.35 |
| 2023 | Hyflodraulic | 5:10.99 |
| 2024 | Volkswagen | 5:18.94 |

## Other events

Regatta Day is only officially recognized as a holiday in the city of St. John's and most retail establishments outside the city remain open that day. Some larger suburban stores mark the day with extravagant Boxing Day-style sales.