Alfred Holwell
The Holwell family has been involved with the Annual St. John's Regatta for nearly 100 years. It appears that the first to row was Ned Holwell as a juvenile in 1897 and he continued until 1909. He was followed by his brother Alf in the Regatta of 1900. A third brother, Will, also began in 1900 and was the only one of the three brothers to become a Coxswain. He retired from the Pond in 1912. At the same time, there were also three cousins who rowed: George; Harold; and C. Holwell.
In modern times, four of Alf's Great Grandchildren have rowed: Glen Holwell; Jamie Stone; Pamela Coady; and Kim Holwell. And Alf's grandson, Gerry Holwell, has served the Regatta Committee for over 20 years.
Alfred Ernest Holwell was born in St. John's on April 11, 1879, the son of George Frederick Holwell and Emma Foster. He was educated in St. John's and worked his whole life on the St. John's waterfront as a longshoreman, primarily with Furness Withy. He married Emma Hunt (1886-1980) of Trinity on Sept. 9, 1905 and they had 14 children.
From 1900 - 1911, he rowed 17 Races in 10 Regattas. He holds a record of 16 first place finishes and was Stroke for 6 of these victories.
After an inauspicious start in the Juvenile Race of 1900, coming fifth as Stroke oar in the Daisy, he holds the distinction of never having lost a Race as a Senior oarsman.
In 1903, his crew won the Laborer's Race by 20 strokes and went on to win, the Championship Race in a time of 9:54.00, the fastest time of the day.
The Laborer's Race of 1905 was a walkover which his crew won by 1/4 the length of the Pond. He was the Stroke for this impressive victory.
He registered three consecutive victories as Stroke oar for the Nfld. British Society (1908-1910) in the Society Race. This was the highlight of his rowing career and is commemorated by a picture in the Regatta Boathouse. The trophy for this Race is still in the possession of the Regatta Committee and is on display in the Boathouse. In 1909 and 1910, the N.B.S. crew was the clear favourite and it was difficult to find anyone to bet against them.
The cup for the 1909 Society Race was presented at a dinner at the British Hall on August 9. Alf Holwell was selected to propose the toast to the President and Committee of the N.B.S.
His best time in the Society Race came in 1910 when they rowed the course in 9:54.80. This was a new record for the Society Race but it was broken just two years later in 1912 by an L.O.A. crew by just 4/5 of a second.
1910 was a good year for Alf - 3 races and 3 firsts. Rowing in the Naval Race for the East End Reserve, they set the record of 9:53.00 which stands to this day.
Alf maintained his interest in and love for the Regatta until his death on April 14, 1973, at the advanced age of 94 years.