Your Royal Regatta dream is real, b'y

Whaddya at, b'y — this is St. John's, oldest city in North America, and we're still here. Let's go.

I'll tell ya one thing, b'y, there's a story floating around Signal Hill this morning that just warms the cockles of my heart, it really does. You know da Royal St. John's Regatta, right? North America's oldest continuous sporting event, out there on Quidi Vidi Lake, right next to da brewery. Well, this year, for da 208th running of it, we've got something special happening. Ukrainian newcomers, people who've found a new home here on da Rock, dey're putting *two* teams on da water. It's their dream, b'y, and we're making it happen.

### Da Spirit of Da Lake

It’s more than just a race, b'y, da Regatta is like da unofficial summer holiday here in St. John's. It's a day off work, a chance to gather 'round da lake, eat some deep-fried everything, and cheer on your neighbours. And for these folks who've traveled so far, to see dem embrace something so profoundly St. John's, it's just powerful. One woman, she said it was her dream to row in it, and now she is. Dat’s what we do here, we welcome people, and we share what’s ours. From da Narrows to Cape Spear, we're a welcoming bunch, even if we grumble about da tourists sometimes.

* Two teams of Ukrainian newcomers are competing in da Royal St. John's Regatta.

* This marks da first time multiple Ukrainian teams have participated in da 208-year history of da event.

* It highlights how new residents are integrating into St. John's unique cultural traditions.

It really shows ya, b'y, dat no matter where you come from, da spirit of St. John's can get in your blood. And to see da energy and hope these teams bring to Quidi Vidi Lake, it's a reminder of what makes this city so special. It's not just da Jellybean Rows or da pubs on George Street; it's da heart of da people.

Deirdre Molloy-Waddleton, MiTL Sports Desk, St. John's.

You can hear more on dis wit da gang every single morning, check 'em out live at mornings.live.