- 1984
- The Regatta Committee is granted a Coat of Arms by the College of Arms, London, England with the Latin motto "Let the contest be governed by tradition". This crest will be modified in 1993 when the "Royal" designation is given to the St. John's Regatta. For more information, please see the Heraldry section of the website
- 1985
- The Quidi Vidi/Rennie's River Development Foundation is formed and they prepare a Master Plan for improvements to Rennie's River and to the area around the lake for Regatta spectators, making the area more like a park.
- A new record time of 9:01.58 is recorded by the Smith-Stockley crew, but is later recanted by the Regatta Committee due to malfunctions in the unofficial boathouse clock and the clock on the Smith-Stockley boat. Other clocks confirmed a time of 9:04.38 and, once this was verified, the official time was changed to 9:04.38.
- 1986
- The Midget Races return to the Regatta after an absence. The definition of "midget" is anyone born in 1971 or later.
- Crews start to use the carbon fiber oars, which replace the wooden oars in use since 1896. The carbon fiber oars are much lighter, weighing only 7 pounds each.
- 1987
- John's Regatta Hall of Fame is established. In 1987 nine individuals and 2 crews are inducted. For more information please visit the Hall of Fame section of this website.
- Well known and famous Coxswain James Ring dies. Known as "Skipper" Ring the loss of this competitive rower / coxswain saddens the Regatta and Newfoundland sports community.
- 1988
- Three of four crews competing in the championship race refuse to row, claiming poor weather conditions. Smith-Stockley, Giant Construction and HM Penitentiary bowed out of the championship race. The Chief Judge on the course ordered the race started even though the only crew to appear at the start line was the Police crew. The Police crew ran the course with a time of 9:29.34 and secured their first championship win in 30 years.
- 1989
- New Course record of 9:01.17 is set by RNC-Lakeshore Homes crew rowing in the Blue Peter in the Championship Race.
- 1990
- Oz-FM women's crew set a new course record in the Championship Race of 5:08:34, beating their old time of 5:14.97 set in 1989.
- 1991
- Five new Regatta racing shells are christened on Wednesday, July 3rd, 1991, at the Quidi Vidi boathouse. They are: Captain Morgan (Seagram's), Miss Molson (Molson Breweries), Good Luck (Newfoundland Margarine Company), Miss Labatt (Labatt Breweries) and the Dictator (Crosbie Industrial).
- The heated controversy of whether women should be permitted to run the first race as opposed to the men, who traditionally run, is debated once again. Just weeks before the running of the Regatta, the Regatta Committee decides to allow women to run in the first race of the day. However, the decision proves to be highly controversial and is overturned before the Regatta is held.
- Rowing in the Good Luck, the Smith-Stockley crew breaks the nine minute barrier during the Championship Race. The crew, rowing a 8:59.42 course record, consisted of Jim Hibbs, John Barrington, Ken Power, Dave Kelly, Paul Boland, Bert Hickey and Coxswain Rich Bailey.
- 1992
- A call for proposals for a new Regatta Boathouse and Training
Facility is advertised in the Evening Telegram on the 29th of July 1992.
- The Regatta is postponed after 15 out of 22 races are held. High winds cause the Regatta Committee to reschedule the remaining races to Saturday.
- VOFM / Hibernia womens crew captures the triple crown of competitive rowing by winning the womens 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.
- Steven Gilbert is mistakenly heralded as a hero after his Foley's Garage crew from Placentia collide with the Pizza Hut shell during the turning of the buoys. It was believed that Gilbert crawled to the stern and lifted the Pizza Hut shell clear, allowing them to continue on and win the race. In actual fact, Gilbert was not even at the races. He had registered as the Number 2, and it was the Number 2 rower who was heralded. Gilbert was home in Placentia after being replaced by his teammates with David Chesney. Gilbert was even to be presented with a plaque for his heroics, but once the truth was discovered, no presentation was made and the Placentia team was disqualified in accordance with Regatta rules.
- The original Blue Peter is destroyed in the fire on December 21st that also claims the Church Lads Brigade Armoury on Harvey Road.
- 1993
- For the fourth time in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador the designation "Royal" is granted by Her Majesty, The Queen to an organization. The St. John's Regatta is now officially known as The Royal St. John's Regatta. The other three organizations with Royal designation 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 is changed to accommodate "supporters" on either side of the crest. For more information please see the Heraldry section of this website.
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