Photo Credit: Ken Eckert
The Royal St. John's Regatta is North America's oldest annual
sporting competition. It also has had interesting ties to the
monarchy since its earliest days.
sporting competition. It also has had interesting ties to the
monarchy since its earliest days.
1818
The earliest records for the event date from 1816 but there is
credible conjecture that the event was held earlier. Ship crews
would often compete against each other in rowing
competitions as a form of entertainment. It is from these
informal matches that the regatta originated.
The 1818 regatta was more put together affair. It was held on
September 22nd to coincide with the 57th anniversary of King
George III's coronation. It is from this date that the organizers
of the regatta mark their anniversary with the regatta
celebrating its 200 year anniversary in 2018.
credible conjecture that the event was held earlier. Ship crews
would often compete against each other in rowing
competitions as a form of entertainment. It is from these
informal matches that the regatta originated.
The 1818 regatta was more put together affair. It was held on
September 22nd to coincide with the 57th anniversary of King
George III's coronation. It is from this date that the organizers
of the regatta mark their anniversary with the regatta
celebrating its 200 year anniversary in 2018.
Since 1818, there was a tradition
of using coronation anniversaries
to set the date of the regatta as
this pictured betting slip from
1937 attests.
of using coronation anniversaries
to set the date of the regatta as
this pictured betting slip from
1937 attests.
Royal Visits
The Queen talking to a rower. Members of the Royal Family who
have attended the regatta include
Prince Albert Edward (later King
Edward VII) in 1860 and Queen
Elizabeth II in 1978. In 2016
Princess Anne visited St. John's to
unveil the championship rings to
be given out in 2018.
have attended the regatta include
Prince Albert Edward (later King
Edward VII) in 1860 and Queen
Elizabeth II in 1978. In 2016
Princess Anne visited St. John's to
unveil the championship rings to
be given out in 2018.
Royal Patronage
In 1993 the regatta was given its royal
designation through the efforts of Don
Johnson, Frederick Russel, and Geoff
Carnell. As a result a new crest was
developed incorporating Saint Edward's
Crown above a fixed-seat row boat. The
Royal St. John's Regatta is one of only
four organizations in Newfoundland to
have a royal designation.
The regatta also has a coat of arms which can be seen here.
designation through the efforts of Don
Johnson, Frederick Russel, and Geoff
Carnell. As a result a new crest was
developed incorporating Saint Edward's
Crown above a fixed-seat row boat. The
Royal St. John's Regatta is one of only
four organizations in Newfoundland to
have a royal designation.
The regatta also has a coat of arms which can be seen here.
When to Visit
The Royal St. John's Regatta is held on the first Wednesday
of August, weather permitting. It is a civic holiday in the city
of St. John's but is unique in that the day off is entirely
dependent on whether the weather is suitable for rowing or
not. If called off the regatta will be held on the next suitable
day.
Besides the rowing there are many food stalls and games of
chance along the shoreline as well as live music provided by
the Church Lads Brigade Regimental Band which gives the
event a festival atmosphere. Hope to see you there.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
of August, weather permitting. It is a civic holiday in the city
of St. John's but is unique in that the day off is entirely
dependent on whether the weather is suitable for rowing or
not. If called off the regatta will be held on the next suitable
day.
Besides the rowing there are many food stalls and games of
chance along the shoreline as well as live music provided by
the Church Lads Brigade Regimental Band which gives the
event a festival atmosphere. Hope to see you there.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
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