Like all sporting events, the Royal St. John's Regatta has a series of rules that must be followed to successfully complete the course. To view the rules for the years specified, click the blue button below each description.

The oldest set of recorded rules dates back to the year 1840, and does not necessarily focus on form and technique, but rather on ensuring the proper steps are taken to register the crews.

As times changed and the sport of boat racing improved, so too have the rules and regulations that governed them. As the years passed by and the Regatta became a staple of summer events in Newfoundland, the focus shifted from the registration of boats and crews to the actual rowing technique practiced by the crews and their sportsman-like conduct during the race.

A set of rules from the 1898 Regatta held on the 2^nd of August shows this.

Surprisingly from 1898 to 1981, the rules and regulations for running a Regatta did not vary much. Indeed, as you will see with the rules for the running of the now famous 1981 Regatta, the rules are very similar and even use the same wording in some instances.

These rules as taken from 1981 show further refinement to the sport of amateur boat racing at the Regatta and how the rules and regulations governing said sport have changed and evolved over the years.

Between 1981 and 1989, the rules and regulations expanded dramatically. After several amendments, these are the rules that are currently followed.