The heated controversy of whether women should be permitted to run the first race as opposed to the men, who traditionally run, was debated once again. The decision to allow women to run in the first race of the day was decided by the Regatta Committee just weeks before the running of the 1991 Regatta. However, the decision proves to be highly controversial and is overturned before the Regatta is held. It is not until 1999 that this growing concern will be resolved.

Rowing in the Good Luck, the Smith-Stockley crew broke the nine minute barrier during the Championship Race of the 1991 Regatta. The crew, rowing an 8:59.42 course record, consisted of Jim Hibbs, John Barrington, Ken Power, Dave Kelly, Paul Boland, Bert Hickey and Coxswain Rich Bailey. The crew rowed a very impressive, yet unofficial, time of 8:48 during a practice just days before the Regatta.

Advertisement from the 1912 Regatta Souvenir Postcard Booklet

The VOFM/Hibernia female crew captured the triple crown of competitive rowing in 1992. This means that they won the Championship Races at the Placentia, Harbour Grace and Royal St. John's Regatta's. They won the St. John's Regatta women's Championship Race with a time of 5:17.78. The crew consisted of Anne-Marie Tobin, Kim Miller, Janet Twining, Angela Cadigan, Dawn Hannaford, Roxanne MacLaurin and Coxswain Rich Bailey. Shortly after this win, Rich Bailey went on to act as Coxswain for the Smith-Stockley / Outer Cover men's crew who also won their championship race.


The year 1992 ended on a sad note, however, as the original Blue Peter was destroyed in a fire that claimed the Church Lads Brigade Armoury on Harvey Road. This was a tremendous chunk of Regatta history destroyed, never to be seen again.

In 1993, and for only the fourth time in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador, the designation "Royal" was granted to an organization. The St. John's Regatta was to be officially known as The Royal St. John's Regatta. The other three Royal organizations are The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and The Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club. The Coat of Arms for The Royal St. John's Regatta was changed to accommodate "supporters" on either side of the crest.


It seems that during the 1990's no Regatta could be run without some controversy or confusion. In the case of the 1994 Regatta, there was confusion surrounding who actually won the women's Championship Race. In a very close race, Keyin Tech appeared to be the winners, however the OZ-FM team rowing in the Good Luck posted a time of 4:59.52. The confusion stems from the fact that Keyin Tech posted a time of 4:59.84, making the race a near dead heat. Keyin tech, assuming they won, made their way to the winners dock, while OZ-FM accepted their "defeat". It was later determined that OZ-FM had actually won, not Keyin Tech. The OZ-FM crew consisted of Siobhan Duff, Kim Miller, Cheri Whelan, Tracy Hogan, Carolyn Burry, Patti Pittman and Coxswain Les Hynes.

Also in 1994, the Regatta Committee purchased 5 new boats for use during The Royal St. John's Regatta. They are The Henley (Alec G. Henley and Associates), The OZ FM (Newfoundland Broadcasting), The Herald (Newfoundland Herald), President's Choice (Dominion Stores), and The Smith-Stockley (Smith-Stockley Plumbing Supplies).

From a historical stand point it is interesting to note that the 1996 Royal St. John's Regatta was promoted as the 170th running of the event. This indicates that at that time the official beginning date of the Regatta was still considered to be 1826, the year the Amateurs of Boat Racing (now the Regatta Committee) was formed - even though newspaper reports as far back as 1818 indicate there were rowing matches and organized events taking place. Do not forget the item from 1816 stating that a rowing match was taking place on the harbour. While this is not recognized as an official Regatta in any way, it may be what spurred the interest of the people to organize rowing matches.

The 1997 Butternut Men's Crew, rowing in the Good Luck, managed to break the previous record of 8:59.42 set by Smith-Stockley in 1991 by rowing an impressive 8:57.14 in the Amateur Race. The Butternut Men's Crew also went on to win the championship race later in the day with a time of 9:11.06. The crew consisted of Mike Jardine, John Handrigan, Chris Barton, Sean Budgell, Albert Gibbons, Perry Cahill and Coxswain Mike Summers. That same year, the Keyin Tech Women's Crew won their third straight championship race. They rowed a time of 5:10.30 in the Captain Morgan. The crew consisted of Anne-Marie Tobin, Nancy Little, Carolyn Burry, Diana Hogan, Dawn Hannaford, Williamina Martin and Coxswain Rick Coish.

1997 Butternut Rowing Team Course Record Holders Back Row: Mel Rose (Sponsor), Perry Cahill, Trevor Bonnell (Sponsor), John Handrigan, Sean Budgell Front Row: Chris Barton, Albert Gibbons, Mike Jardine (Stroke) and Mike Summers (Coxswain)

(continued on Page 3) Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3