A piece of Regatta history was returned in 1999 as one of the rarest and oldest medals in Regatta history was given back to the Regatta Committee. The medal is from 1912 and was donated by Claire Pike of Heart's Content whose father, Moses Pike, rowed with the championship crew from the Evening Telegram in 1912.

Another important event that took place in 1999 involved a recognition of women's involvement in the Regatta. That year, it was decided by the Regatta Committee that men and women shall alternate years to row in the first two races of the day. This gave both an equal opportunity to make record setting times as the "morning pond" is considered the best of the day. Also that year, it was decided that men would no longer row twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon, as was the tradition. This made it apparent that women dominate the sport in numbers, making up between 70 to 80% of the teams rowing during Regatta Day.

Two new shells are donated to the Regatta Committee in 1999 - The Broker (P.F. Collins Customs Broker Limited) and the Tubular (East Coast Tubular). In 2001, the long awaited new boathouse facility was opened just in time for the 175th (183rd) rowing of the Royal St. John's Regatta. The new building boasted office space, improved training and restroom facilities and a museum to hold 185 years of Regatta history. That same year, the NTV Men's crew captured their third straight title in the Championship Race. Rowing in the Miss Molson, the crew consisting of Patrick Barrington, Ed Williams, Ronnie Whitten, Colin Stapleton, Paddy Dyer, John Barrington Jr. and Coxswain John Barrington Sr., posted a time of 9:08.38. While no records were broken, this was an impressive win as it allowed the team to regain their Championship title. Skipping 176 to 183

Artists representation of the boathouse before it was built. (Artist: Dave Hoddinott, Size: 54kB) The Boathouse (Year: 2003, Source: Ian Snook).

In 2002, new historical evidence that the first organized Regatta was held in 1818 prompts the Committee to change its official start date from 1826 to 1818. This makes the 2002 Regatta to be the 184th Royal St. John's Regatta.

The NTV crew of 2002 - which was the same crew from 2001 - once again claimed a Men's Championship title, making this their fourth straight win.

Well-known Regatta supporter Gerry Angel passed away on the 30^th of May, 2002. Mr. Angel was a Past President of the Royal St. John's Regatta Hall of Fame and Honourary Life President of the Royal St. John's Regatta Committee.


At the close of this Era in 2003, the OZ-FM Women's crew set a new course record in the Amateur Race with 4:56.70 and later went on to win the Championship Race with a time of 4:58.68, setting a new course record for that race as well. The crew included Siobhan Duff, Tracey Hogan, Kristine Power, Jackie Handrigan, Nicole Hamlyn, Amanda Hancock and Coxswain Richard Bailey. This was impressive as they shattered the 5 minute barrier for the women's course twice in one day, something which gives testimony to their dedication and training.

The OZ-FM Women's crew - Set course record and won women's Championship Race in 2003
(Year: 2003, Size: 43kB, Source: Gord King).

Because the overall history of the Regatta is deep and very interesting, this site cannot hope to contain it in its entirety. However, it should be able to give some insight into why the Royal St. John's Regatta has continued for 185 years and will continue in the future.

See you at the races next year!

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