Mundy Pond Regatta returning after almost 70 years

It's been decades since the last one, but this summer the Mundy Pond Regatta will be returning to St. John's.

Organized races were last held on Mundy Pond in the city's west end in 1949, ending a 20-year run. But now, a group has come together to revive the event, which has been somewhat forgotten in the wake of the popular Royal St. John's Regatta.

The new Mundy Pond Regatta is set for July 9, and will features dozens of different races, concessions and a dance at St. Teresa's Parish hall the night before.

Organizers hope to create a lively new event for the Mundy Pond area, as well as embrace the history of the regatta held on the pond all those years ago.

"It was quite a thing in those days," said co-founder Ted Doyle.

"I think what might have happened is when Confederation came in, St. Teresa's and the parish and community started to get pretty busy, so I think Father Summers got too busy to be dealing with the regatta anymore."

Different boats, same fun

Doyle said the Mundy Pond Regatta is in no way meant to be competition for the Royal St. John's Regatta, which is held on Quidi Vidi Lake the first Wednesday in August, weather permitting, and is considered the oldest continuous sporting event in North America.

Due to the fact that Mundy Pond is much smaller and narrower than Quidi Vidi Lake, the boats used for the regatta races will be much smaller — something Doyle says are called punt boats.

"This is the way we have to go because the other St. John's regatta boats are much too long and wide for this pond," he said.

Another difference is that concessions and vendors will be focused around the Blackler Avenue entrance, instead of on the sides of the pond like the Quidi Vidi event.

Doyle said people are getting excited now to revive the event, and he is happy with how much support they're getting from organizers of the Royal St. John's Regatta.

"I'm totally amazed that everyone I've heard from down there are all on our side," he said. "And I've made it known to some of them that they're all very welcome, and thank you very much for your help."