History

Many local historians believe that rowing and sailing competitions between the crews from various ships in the harbour and the local populous pre-date any of the records we have been able to verify. St. John's, with its magnificently sheltered harbour, had become a growing centre of activity, and early settlement, as far back as early 1700's. The fishing and trading season generally lasted from May to September. this gave the transient amd local population only a few months to form summer friendships and raise a challange to each other's sailing and rowing skills. The boat racing, which later became our Regatta, came into existance as a natural form of friendly competition among a seafaring people.

The rivalry amongst the crews of the various ships in the harbour sparked both sailing and rowing challanges. Brief early records give reference to the use of "gigs", "jolly-boats", and "whale" boats which were used in early competition. A "gig" is defined as: a loght, narrow clinker-built ships boat, adapted either for rowing or sailing. Little else is known of a "gig"'s dimensions or use. All boats used during this early period were owned by the companies which owned the ship or in some cases by individuals.

The very earliest verifiable mention of a rowing competition dates back to 12 August 1816.  In its early days the boat races were held over a space of three days, and old-fashioned gigs and yawls and long boats were manned by brawny sailors and fishermen who won monetary rewards and fleeting fame and the plaudits of a merry crowd of holiday makers. 

During the first 30 to 40 years of Regatta history the races often took one, two, even three days to complete. Some challenges were for sailing while others were for racing. Crews amd boats had to be classified or matched so that all challenges could be met. Sailing matches were initially held in the Harbour with rowing matches reserved for Quidi Vidi. Eventually all races moved to Quidi Vidi, perhaps to avoid interferring with a busy port's activity and possibly to accommodate the growing crowds of spectators so eager to watch the festivities.

1816

Long before Newfoundland was granted a Representative Government there was Regatta in St. John's. The Royal Gazette in its issue of 6 August 1816 records the arrival in the port of St. John's of:

the sloop, George 
the schooner, Elizabeth 
the brigantine, Fame 
the brig, Azores 
the brig, Unanimity 
the brig, Lightning 

In the same issue of the Royal Gazette there is a report on a rowing match (which) will take place on Monday next between two boats upon which considerable bets are depending. They are to start at half past one o'clock from alongside the prision ship.
The prision ship was moored in the harbour and there are references to boat races being held on the harbour in these early years.

1818

Throughout the history of Newfoundland the ardent loyality of Newfoundlanders to the King/Queen and Country remains a proud facet to their character. The evolution of the Regatta also shares very strong links to the major events which surround the Monarchy.The races of 1818 were held on September 22 in order to co-incide with the 47th anniversary of King George III's official coronation on September 22,1761.

1826 Marks the first recorded reference to an official organizing committee called The Amateurs of Boat Racing. Prior to this date the Regatta's were organized on an ad hoc basis with few specific rules or regulations. The media accounts refer to the Regatta as The St. John's Annual Regatta, establishing its past, and with its new organization, its future. It is from this date that the Regatta Committee takes its anniversary. 1996 will officially be the 170th running of the St. John's Regatta - North America's Oldest Continuing Sporting Event 

For more information about the history of the Royal St. John's Regatta, be sure to visit the Collections Canada website: "The History of the Royal St. John's Regatta Project".

Click [ here ] to go directly to that website.