Royal St. John's Regatta

Last updated
Royal St. John's Regatta
AbbreviationRSJR
Formation1816
TypeOrganizations based in Canada with royal patronage
Legal statusactive
Purposeadvocate and public voice, educator and network
Headquarters St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
Region served
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
Official language
English
Website http://www.stjohnsregatta.ca/

The Royal St. John's Regatta is North America's oldest annual sporting event with documented proof of 1816 boat races. [ citation needed ] 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. [ citation needed ]

Contents

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. [ citation needed ]

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. [ citation needed ]

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. [ citation needed ]

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. [1] It has been cancelled due to the death of any monarch [ citation needed ], 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.[ citation needed ] Don Johnson, Frederick Russell and Geoff Carnell collaborated in the effort to get permission to use the Royal prefix for the Regatta. [2]

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. [3]

Regatta Start, St. John's, Newfoundland Regatta Start, St. John's, Newfoundland.jpg
Regatta Start, St. John's, Newfoundland

Course records and record holders

Male Course Record: 8:51.32 (Crosbie Industrial Services2007 – 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

YearCrewTimeRaceCoxswainStroke54321
1885Outer Cove9:20.00FishermanWalter PowerJames HickeyNix PowerMichael HanlonMike StackWalter Power Jr.William Power
1901Outer Cove9:13.80FishermanWalter PowerJohn WhelanDan McCarthyDenis McCarthyDenis CrokeJohn NugentMartin Boland
1981Smith Stockley9:12.04ClubJim RingRandy RingJohn BarringtonTom PowerBrian CranfordBill HolwellPaul Ring
1982Outer Cove9:03.48AmateurMike PowerAndrew BolandBert HickeyCampbell FeehanGerard RyanJim HibbsOwen Devereaux
1989RNC / Lakeshore Homes9:00.96AmateurBill HickeyCampbell FeehanGerard RyanAlbert GibbonsBrian CranfordBill HolwellJim Carroll
1991Smith Stockley – Outer Cove8:59.42AmateurRich BaileyJim HibbsJohn BarringtonKen PowerDavid KellyPaul BolandBert Hickey
1997Butternut8:57.10AmateurMike SummersMike JardineJohn HandriganChris BartonSean BudgellAlbert GibbonsPerry Cahill
2007Crosbie Industrial Services8:54.06AmateurMark HaywardBrent HickeyAdam KavanaghRon WhittenEd WilliamsJames CadiganDarryl Ryan
2007Crosbie Industrial Services8:51.32ChampionshipMark HaywardBrent HickeyAdam KavanaghRon WhittenEd WilliamsJames CadiganDarryl Ryan

Female

YearCrewTimeRaceCoxswainStroke54321
1981Master Tire5:15.57Race #2Rich BaileyMichelle RiceDeanne KearneyDiane RocheAnita O'DonnellMargo WalshPaula Whitney
1989OZFM5:14.97AmateurMike SummersSiobhan DuffAllison CarrollLeona RockwoodJackie GellatelyCarol PerryPatti Pittman
1990OZFM5:08.34ChampionshipMike SummersSiobhan DuffJackie GellatelyLeona RockwoodNancy LittleJoanne GellatelyPatti Pittman
1994OZFM4:59.52ChampionshipLes HynesSiobhan DuffKim MillerCheri WhelanTracy HoganCaroline BurryPatti Pittman
2003OZFM4:56.70AmateurRich BaileySiobhan DuffTracy HoganKristine PowerJackie HandriganNicolle HamlynAmanda Hancock
2018m54:56.10AmateurDean HammondKatie WaddenAlyssa DevereauxJane BrodieNancy BeatonAmanda RyanAmanda Hancock

Official race record times [4]

Female

Race CategoryTimeYearCrew
Female Amateur4:56.102018M5
Female Mercantile5:15.821997North Atlantic Petroleum
Female Intermediate5:11.152004Compusult
Female Juvenile5:25.662002Noble Drilling
Female Midget5:48.392001Noble Drilling
Female Commercial5:33.192001Thrifty Car Rental
Female District5:29.862001CFS St. John's-Sports Shop
Female General Workers5:30.562004RJG Construction
Female All Comers5:45.912001Appleton Rum
Female Masters5:12.532012OZFMM
Female Memorial5:31.492016Port Authority
Female Club5:44.232005Bella Vista
Female Service5:55.682011Labrador Motors
Female Labour5:46.392012Statoil
Female Squirt2:37.602016FW Connolly Electrical

Male

Race CategoryTimeYearCrew
Male Amateur8:54.062007Crosbie Industrial Services
Male Labour9:22.991987H.M. Penitentiary
Male Intermediate9:23.272001Academy Canada
Male Masters9:40.1120123M Masters
Male Midget5:00.791995East Coast Marine
Male Juvenile9:43.071989Outer Cove-East Coast Marine
Male All Comers9:24.801995Concrete Products
Male Service9:03.641991Smith Stockley-Outer Cove
Male General Workers9:15.721981Smith Stockley
Male Commercial9:17.791991RNC Sportscraft
Male Squirt2:26.902016Green Sleeves/Men’s Den

Championship

TimeYearCrewCoxswainStroke54321
Female4:57.782005Compusult A/Canada GamesRon BolandKatie WaddenLaura RiceRachel CoffeyValerie EarleKate ParsonsJenn Squires
Male8:51.322007Crosbie Industrial ServicesMark HaywardBrent HickeyAdam KavanaghRon WhittenEd WilliamsJames CadiganDarryl Ryan

Championship crews and times

Male [5]

YearCrewTime
1873Outer Cove12:05.0
1874Cancelled due to rain
1875All Comers11:35.0
1876Outer Cove10:40.0
1877Placentia10:28.0
1878All Comers09:58.0
1879Outer Cove10:11.0
1880Broad Cove10:04.0
1881Broad Cove09:45.0
1882Amateurs09:21.0
1883Outer Cove09:45.0
1884Outer Cove10:13.0
1885Outer Cove09:20.0
1886Outer Cove09:35.0
1887Outer Cove09:40.0
1888Tradesmen10:08.0
1889Outer Cove09:52.0
1890Torbay09:30.0
1891Torbay09:42.0
1892Cancelled due to fire
1893Outer Cove09:56.0
1894Outer Cove10:27.0
1895Torbay09:45.0
1896Juveniles09:58.5
1897Tradesmen09:45.8
1898Tradesmen09:30.6
1899S.O.E10:00.8
1900Torbay09:29.0
1901Outer Cove09:13.8
1902Outer Cove09:22.0
1903Job’s09:56.3
1904Blackhead09:21.3
1905Blackhead09:40.3
1906Blackhead09:34.0
1907Outer Cove09:53.2
1908Outer Cove09:45.0
1909Outer Cove09:38.2
1910Torbay09:36.6
1911Torbay09:45.0
1912L.O.A09:54.0
1913Torbay10:51.0
1914Logy Bay09:46.0
1915Cancelled due to war
1916Cancelled due to war
1917Cancelled due to war
1918Cancelled due to war
1919Logy Bay09:32.2
1920Truckmen10:06.0
1921Truckmen09:55.4
1922Outer Cove09.40.0
1923Outer Cove09:47.0
1924Truckmen09:51.0
1925Truckmen09:44.2
1926Outer Cove09:41.0
1927Amateurs09:50.8
1928Truckmen09:55.2
1929Labourers09:42.0
1930Labourers09:45.6
1931Fishermen09:47.0
1932St. Joseph’s09:44.0
1933Fishermen10:14.6
1934All Comers09:29.0
1935Police09:47.0
1936All Comers10:12.0
1937Police09:41.0
1938Police09:37.2
1939Police09:36.8
1940Cancelled due to war
1941Ex-Servicemen10:20.0
1942Canadian Navy10:09.0
1943Nfld. Regiment10:07.8
1944Labourers09:46.6
1945Labourers10:00.2
1946Police09:55.2
1947U.S. Army Docks09:59.4
1948Labourers11:09.0
1949Higher Levels (Intermediate)10:45.0
1950Higher Levels11:11.4
1951Amateurs10:27.2
1952Labourers10:15.0
1953Labourers09:51.4
1954U.S. Air Police09:56.0
1955U.S. Air Police10:06.0
1956Patricians10:01.0
1957St. Bon’s10:10.0
1958City Police09:45.0
1959William Summers Jr.09:49.2
1960William Summers Jr.09:51.0
1961William Summers Jr.10:10.0
1962William Summers Jr.10:01.4
1963William Summers Jr.10:08.0
1964William Summers Jr.10:07.8
1965Jerseyside10:54.8
1966Newfoundland Light & Power10:03.0
1967Warrens Texaco10:12.2
1968William Summers Jr.10:27.0
1969Newfoundland Light & Power10:03.0
1970Crosbie Services09:50.0
1971Newfoundland Light & Power10:02.0
1972Crosbie Services10:06.0
1973NAVFAC09:51.0
1974NF Light & Power and Hickman’s (Dead Heat)10:10.0
1975Hickman’s10:02.8
1976Placentia09:56.8
1977Placentia Lion’s09:54.2
1978Boys Club09:52.0
1979Smith-Stockley10:01.3
1980Boys Club09:46.9
1981Boys and Girls Club09:23.2
1982Outer Cove09:12.3
1983Outer Cove09:05.3
1984Outer Cove09:21.2
1985Smith-Stockley09:06.2
1986Smith-Stockley09:19.3
1987Smith Stockley09:55.1
1988RNC-Lakeshore Homes09:29.3
1989RNC-Lakeshore Homes09:01.2
1990RNC-Lakeshore Homes09:10.0
1991Smith Stockley-Outer Cove08:59.4
1992Smith Stockley-Outer Cove09:04.5
1993Outer Cove-Coldwell Banker09:20.2
1994Smith Stockley-Outer Cove09:08.3
1995Butternut Bread09:01.1
1996RNC-Grand Banks Alliance09:22.6
1997Butternut09:11.1
1998RNC-Discovery Springs09:16.3
1999NTV09:15.7
2000NTV09:08.6
2001NTV09:08.4
2002NTV09:07.2
2003NF Power09:05.6
2004NTV09:12.7
2005The Independent09:04.0
2006Crosbie Industrial09:24.5
2007Crosbie Industrial08:51.3
2008O’Dea Earle09:22.2
2009East Coast Maintenance Services09:09.7
2010Rogers Bussey Lawyers09:32.8
2011Rogers Bussey Lawyers09:10.8
2012Rogers Bussey Lawyers09:16.6
2013Toyota09:23.4
2014Bussey Howrood Lawyers09:14.5
2015Max Arts. Athletics Wellness09:26.32
2016Outer Cove09:09.68
2017Outer Cove08:59.70
2018Outer Cove09:06.34
2019Fine Strokes09:04.71
2020Cancelled due to COVID-19
2021NTV9:36.99
2022NTV9:40.91
2023Fine Strokes9:15.71
2024Capital Home Hardware9:43.31

Female [6]

YEARTEAMTIME
1979Health Science06:11.3
1980General Hospital05:50.0
1981Dunne’s Fuel05:36.3
1982General Hospital05:29.1
1983Dunne’s Fuel05:23.7
1984Central Dairies05:34.2
1985Central Dairies05:19.1
1986Ryan’s Construction05:24.8
1987Ryan’s Construction05:53.0
1988OZ FM05:20.3
1989OZ FM05:22.1
1990OZ FM05:08.3
1991Trinity Bay Offshore05:11.0
1992VOCM-Hibernia05:17.8
1993OZ FM-Mark’s Work Warehouse05:11.7
1994OZ FM04:59.5
1995Keyin Tech05:02.0
1996Keyin Tech05:18.6
1997Keyin Tech05:10.3
1998OZ FM05:04.5
1999Keyin College05:03.6
2000OZ FM05:07.8
2001Keyin College05:11.4
2002OZ FM05:08.3
2003OZ FM04:58.7
2004Jungle Jim’s05:06.5
2005Compusult A/Canada Games04:57.8
2006OZ FM05:16.2
2007O’Dea Earle05:06.2
2008H.J. O’Connell Construction05:03.5
2009JAC Marketing & Advertising / Canada Games05:08.3
2010m505:05.2
2011m504:59.3
2012Roebothan McKay Marshall05:04.2
2013Max Girls 105:12.4
2014Max Athletics Women05:11.8
2015Roebothan McKay Marshall05:18.44
2016m505:10.16
2017m505:00.71
2018m504:56.10
2019Hyflodraulic05:02.23
2020Cancelled due to COVID-19
2021Hyflodraulic5:10.99
2022Hyflodraulic05:11.35
2023Hyflodraulic5:10.99
2024Volkswagen5:18.94

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.

See also

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References

  1. Department of Canadian Heritage. "Ceremonial and Canadian Symbols Promotion > The Canadian Monarchy > 2005 Royal Visit > The Royal Presence in Canada - A Historical Overview". Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  2. "Donald Stewart Johnson (Posthumous)". Volunteer Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  3. "1856 Quidi Vidi Women's Crew". regatta.nlpl.ca. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  4. "Official Record Times". www.stjohnsregatta.org. Archived from the original on 2016-04-02. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  5. "The Oldest Organized Sporting Event in North America". Royal St. John's Regatta. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  6. "The Oldest Organized Sporting Event in North America". Royal St. John's Regatta. Retrieved 2020-06-14.