High winds put off Royal St. John’s Regatta and civic holiday in N.L.’s capital

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – A historic rowing race and a civic holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital have been postponed today because of high winds.

The Royal St. John’s Regatta committee said this morning weather conditions weren’t favourable in St. John’s for the annual rowing race.

The day of races and the accompanying civic holiday have been put off until Thursday — weather permitting.

The Royal St. John’s Regatta bills itself as the oldest organized sporting event in North America and races traditionally take place on the first Wednesday of August on Quidi Vidi Lake in St. John’s.

If conditions are good and the race goes ahead, then residents of the capital get a civic holiday.

Residents will find out first thing tomorrow morning if they get the day off.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2021.