About The Course
The course of the Royal St. John’s Regatta is possibly the most unique boat racing course in the world. Unlike most other racing courses, the length of Quidi Vidi Lake forces competitors to turn a set of buoys at the bottom of the pond in the full course, and a set of buoys at the center of the pond for the half course.
Both courses follow the same set of rules for conduct and sportsmanship.
Full Course
With an overall length of 2.45 km (1.52 miles), the full course is a grueling testimony to the sport of boat racing. The crew must line themselves at their respective stake and, when the signal is given, race to their designated buoy at the bottom of the pond.
Should one full minute elapse with no mis-start, accident or equipment damage, the race is considered official and will not be stopped unless an emergency occurs.
The first crew reaching their buoy will be given the right of way to round the buoy. To successfully complete the course, crews must round the buoy on the south side, and approach their starting stake on the north side. The distance between the buoys at the top of the pond is 36.5 meters (119.75 feet) and at the foot of the pond they are 15.7 meters (51.5 feet).
Half Course
Though a shorter course, it is no less grueling or impressive to watch.
The length of the course comes in at 1.225 km (0.76 miles) and like the full course, crews must reach their buoys and round them on the south side, approaching their starting positions from the north.
The distance between buoys are the same in both courses as is giving right of way to the crew which reaches their buoy first.
Committee Color Assignment for Racing Shells
Brown Bottom Shells
Shell Name | Colour |
---|---|
Pomerleau | Gold |
Cougar Helicopters Soteria | Blue |
Gerry Angel | Green |
Dictator | Red |
Iceberg Gold | White |
Miss Tubular | Tan |
White Bottom Shells
Shell Name | Colour |
---|---|
The OZ Network | Gold |
The Newfoundland Herald | Blue |
Smith Stockley | Green |
The Henley | Red |
President’s Choice | White |
The Broker | Tan |
Fibreglass Group A Shells
Shell Name | Colour |
---|---|
Miss India II | Gold |
Stroke of Power | Blue |
Smith Stockley II | Green |
Catherine M | Red |
The NTV Network | White |
The Ranger | Tan |
Fibreglass Group B Shells
Shell Name | Colour |
---|---|
Lamb’s Palm Breeze | Gold |
HydroWise | Blue |
The Telegram | Green |
The Sea-Hawk | Red |
The CBC | White |
The Marine Institute | Tan |