Harbour Grace, Placentia and St John's are three examples of the regatta's in Newfoundland with the St. John's Regatta being the largest of these. On the first Wednesday in August (or the first fine day thereafter), the city stops working and attends the boating races on Quidi Vidi Lake.
What probably began as a few fishermen competing to see who could row his dory the fastest has grown into the annual Royal St. John's Regatta, North America's oldest continuing sporting event. The Regatta began officially in 1825 and has run the first Wednesday of August ever since. Regatta day is probably the only Municipal Holiday in Canada dependent on the weather. If it is raining or too windy, the holiday is simply put off until the next day.
On July 7th, 1993, the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland, the Honorable Frederick W. Russell, C.M., LL.D., advised the St. John's Regatta Committee - for only the fourth time in Newfoundland's history - that Her Majesty the Queen had graciously approved the use of the prefix "Royal" by the St.John's Regatta, making it now known officially as "The Royal St. John's Regatta".
The Regatta Committee is honored and very proud of being granted this prestigious distinction putting them in the company of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, and the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club.
This was the first Royal designation for the City of St. John's.
The Royal St. John's Regatta
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 verifiable records. 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 and local population only a few months to form summer friendships and raise a challenge to each other's sailing and rowing skills. The boat racing, which later became the Regatta, came into existence 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 challenges. 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 light, 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 the 12th of August 1816, and then in 1826, when an official committee called the Amateurs of Boat racing was set up.
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 and 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 the 6th of 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 prison ship.
The prison 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 22nd in order to co-incide with the 47th anniversary of King George III's official coronation on September 22nd,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.
2001 will officially be the 175th running of the St. John's Regatta - North America's Oldest Continuing Sporting Event.
The Royal St. John's Regatta - Technique
Rowing the racing shell takes strength, balance, rhythm and endurance.
Strength is needed as the rowing format of the shells is fixed seat rowing. This requires more upper body strength and less leg strength than in sliding seat rowing.
Balance in the shell is an absolute must. The shells sit low in the water and are easily upset with subtle weight changes or sudden movement.
Rhythm is needed in the technique of the rowing. If the six rowers do not stroke in complete unison, it will counteract the momentum that is developed during the stroke motion.
Endurance is required to row the course. Rowing the shells for nine or ten minutes takes a tremendous toll on just about every muscle group in the body. Cardiovascular strength and endurance is also needed to supply the body with oxygenated blood and energy for the race.
1. At the beginning of a stroke, rowers must bend forward using their knees and lower back. As they do, they must keep their arms straight, this will draw the oar backwards. Next, they will dip the oar in the water with face of the oar perpendicular to the surface of the water.
2. When the oar is in the water the rower will then be near the limit of their reach. The rower will then change direction and begin to pull back. As the oar comes back the arms will increasingly bend while the legs straighten from leaning backward and pushing against the footing plate.
3. As the oar nears the rowers chest, the legs are bearly fully extended. The rower must pull the oar out of the water at this point to complete a circular motion of the arms and the stroke. The rower must be ready and lean forward for another stroke.
Upwards of 30,000 attend every year, with estimates in some years of over 50,000 people attending the day-long event, with over 250 booths and concession stands set up on the day of the races, and it has been reported that that have generated over 1 million dollars for the local economy annually.
If you are traveling and find yourself in Newfoundland at this time of year do not miss the glorious opportunity to take this day's events in and cheer on a team of your choice.
