People flocked to the Royal St. John’s Regatta in droves, the likes of which haven’t been seen for a long time as Mother Nature obliged us with exceptional pond conditions.

Hyflodraulic killed it every step of the way, winning in Placentia, Harbour Grace and St. John’s to claim the Triple Crown of Rowing. The women crossed the finish line in 5:11—slightly slower than the 5:08 in the first race of the day. It is their third Royal St. John’s Regatta Championship in a row.

NTV won their second men’s title in a row. Regatta legend Tony Barrington continues to be an inspiration for this crew. Donnie Decker says it was Tony who convinced him to get into rowing. They won with a time of 9:40.

Hyflodraulic – triple crown champs at Royal St. John’s Regatta. 5:11 time pic.twitter.com/MsGc1l1Xm5

— Brian Madore (@bmadorevocm) August 4, 2022

Regatta President Noelle Thomas Kennell says this Regatta, the first full-on race day in three years was nerve-wracking but vendors are telling her that sales far exceeded their expectations.

And for many, it was the closest thing to normality in more than two years.

Among those strolling the banks of Quidi Vidi Lake was MP Seamus O’Regan, who noted the Regatta has always been there through tough times. He says its return, even in wartime, was a sign of getting back to normal.

While not comparing COVID to the realities of war, he said the virus has been very hard on people in many ways, including mental health, and a normal regatta was just one great relief.

St. John’s councillor Debbie Hanlon said she could sense the positivity among locals and the multitude of visitors.

She says the city is “bursting at the seams” with tourists, with a jovial spirit among the thousands at lakeside, “in and outside of the beer tent.”