In 1972, a series of tests were conducted on the racing shells at Memorial University of Newfoundland. This was to determine if there was a difference in the way the shells behaved while in water. Four of the shells (labeled 1 through 4) were tested under exact conditions. While there were differences in how the shells performed, it was not deemed significant enough to cause any difference during race day. Strangely enough, Shell #4 (Kitty Vitty) was the shell most rowers hated but had the lowest drag ratio, while Shell #2 (Blue Peter) was the preferred shell and had the highest drag ratio!

In 1973, two honours were bestowed upon participants in the Regatta. As stated previously, Levi "Shotty" Rogers was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame 10 years after his death in 1963. That same year, seventy two years after setting the remarkable record of 9:13, the Outer Cove crew was nominated to the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame by the Amateur Softball Association.

Several notable events took place at that 1977 and 1978 Regattas.


1977 marked the 100^th Anniversary of the Seven Placentia Giants, who came from Placentia with their own boat and won against people who had been rowing for years. To commemorate this historic tale, the rowing team from Placentia carried their shell from Placentia and rowed the same way their forefathers did 100 years past.

Due to the Canada Summer Games being held in St.John's in August, the Regatta was held on the 27^th of July, a full week earlier then tradition.


Again the following year, 1978, the date of the Regatta was changed. This time it was to accommodate the Royal Family and their visit to the province. It was the third Royal Visit since the Regatta started in 1818. Once again, the Regatta was held on July 27^th, a full week earlier then normal. This supported the Regatta's long standing influence from the Royal Family.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip were in attendance for this spectacular event. The weather remained sunny and the races went off without a problem or a worry. Some racers even had the honour of being presented their medals by the Queen herself. Also noteworthy was the use of 4 man and single sculls with sliding seats. These had both been toyed with during the 1970's, and proved to be quite successful for a time. However, they fell into disuse and have since been discontinued.

The Queen and Regatta President John Perlin at the 1978 Regatta (Year: 1978, Source: Regatta Museum).

The final event of this era is one of the more dramatic and most emotional of all.

The Smith-Stockley crew (Year: 1981, Source: Regatta Museum).

The Outer Cove record of 9:13.80 set in 1901 was finally broken on the 5th of August 1981 by the Smith-Stockley crew. Though the reports of the time say the record was "shattered", it was actually not that far off the original record, coming in at 9:12.04. The winning crew was: Paul King, John Barrington, Brian Cranford, Bill Holwell, Randy Ring (stroke), Jim Ring (coach and coxswain), and Tom Power. The Smith-Stockley crew rowed a very powerful race and will forever be remembered as the crew who broke the 80 year record. This record breaking feat helped spawn a new interest in spectators, as attendance had been dropping off in years previous.

While the record would fall again in 1982 to the crew from Outer Cove, and eventually even the seemingly unattainable mark of 9 minutes would be beaten, the Smith-Stockley win was one of the most notable and historic moments in the history of the Regatta.

What a way to end an era.

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