There are records of rowing competitions in St. John's since at least 1816. The regatta has long-standing ties with the
Canadian monarchy: The regatta has been visited by members of the
Royal Family, including
Prince Albert Edward (later King Edward) in 1860 and Queen
Elizabeth II in 1978. It has been cancelled due to the death of any
monarch, and any year a
coronation has taken place or a milestone jubilee celebrated, the regatta has been held in honour of the monarch. Its
royal designation was incorporated in 1993, which prompted changes in the event and the development of a new crest.
Don Johnson,
Frederick Russell and Geoff Carnell collaborated in the effort to get permission to use the Royal prefix for the Regatta. The first women's race in the St. John's Regatta was held in 1856. The winning crew of Quidi Vidi women was inducted into the Regatta Hall of Fame in recognition of their feat. It was nearly 100 years before women participated again. Beginning in 1949, women have rowed in nearly every Regatta, though a women's championship race was not introduced until 1979. ==Course records and record holders==