Our Story
When you say the word Regatta, does it conjure up images of historic rowing rivalry, like the 181 years between England’s Oxford and Cambridge? Or does the 128 years of slide-seat rowing at the Canadian Henley come to mind? Well, the Royal St. John’s Regatta tops them both with over 200 years of rowing tradition. Our Regatta is both a unique sporting contest, but even more importantly it is one of the best summer social events in Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital city.
The Royal St. John’s Regatta, is held in St. John’s every year, on the first Wednesday in August (weather permitting). Ours is the oldest continuously organized sporting event in North America! Dating back to the times when sea captains in port, would wager on the strength of their sailors, and used their gigs or whale boats to race across the harbour and back. From those days, as far back as 1816, our Royal St. John’s Regatta eventually moved to beautiful Quidi Vidi Lake where the shorelines offered all the citizens a chance to cheer on their favourite crew and enjoy a day of fun and activity.
What makes our Royal Regatta so unique? Our shells have fixed seat, are just over 50 feet long and weigh over 450 lbs. They hold a crew of six, plus coxswain. Our races start and finish at the same spot on beautiful Quidi Vidi Lake. The long course is 2.450 km. and the short course is 1.225 km. – but all five crews that make up a race, have to “turn the buoys” at the half way point – a true feat of athleticism and teamwork. With a full day of races on the pond – the day ends with the Championship Races for top five men’s and women’s crews. Every fraction of a second shaved off a record is a great cause for celebration and pride.
Our Regatta is more than that, even more than our most favourite sport, it’s a day for family and friends, young and old, visitor and neighbours. All around the shores of beautiful Quidi Vidi Lake are concessionaires offering all manner of food and treats for the whole family. Community groups who volunteer to staff a booth on Regatta Day will entice you to play games of chance, or games of skill. “Try your luck!” is a call that appeals to tourists and locals alike. Fun is fun!
The key event during the last two weeks in July and the first two weeks of August – is the Royal St. John’s Regatta!
Newfoundlanders usually plan their summer trip home to coincide with The Regatta!
We invite you to come and experience this fabulous sport and social event in our fair city!
Come see what you’re missing!
