Royal St. John's Regatta

Royal St. John's Regatta

Abbreviation	RSJR
Formation	1816
Type	Organizations based in Canada with royal patronage
Legal status	active
Purpose	advocate 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.org/

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 will celebrate 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 is not suitable, and wind conditions are very important, the event is postponed until the next suitable day. Since Regatta Day is a civic holiday in St. John's, 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.

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 crews 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.^[1] 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.

Some Basques claim that the regatta owes its origins to their ancestors despite not being the first Europeans to land and settle in Newfoundland (Ternua in Basque language).

Regatta Start, St. John's, Newfoundland

Course records and record holders

Male Course Record: 8:51.29 (Crosbie Industrial Services 2007 - Championship Race)

Members:

Cox: Mark Hayward

Stroke: Brent Hickey

5: Adam Kavanagh

4: Ron Witten

3: Ed Williams

2: James Cadigan

1: Darryl Ryan

Coach: Bert Hickey

---

Female Course Record: 4:56.70 (OZFM 2003 - Morning Race)

Members:

Cox: Rich Bailey

Stroke: Siobhan Duff

5: Tracey Hogan

4: Kristine Power

3: Jackie Handrigan

2: Nicole Hamlyn

1: Amanda Hancock

Official Race Record Times^[2]

Female

Race Category	Time	Year	Crew
Female Amateur	4:56.70	2003	OZ FM
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	5:28.87	2004	Daley Brothers
Female Memorial	5:38.78	2012	Hanlon Realty
Female Club	5:44.23	2005	Bella Vista
Female Service	5:55.68	2011	Labrador Motors
Female Labour Female Squirt	5:46.39 2:43.32	2012 2012	Statoil Harold Hotel

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 Male Commercial Male Squirt	9:15.72 9:17.79 2:44.72	1981 1991 2012	Smith Stockley RNC Sportscraft Pennecon Boys

Championship

Female	4:57.78	2005	Compusult A/Canada Games
Male	8:51.32	2007	Crosbie Industrial Services

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

• List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage
• St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Monarchy of Canada
• Newfoundland rowing

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. "Official Record Times". www.stjohnsregatta.org. Retrieved 2016-03-23.

External links

• Royal St. John's Regatta Official Webpage