The first chair of the committee organizing this exciting race was Hank Shouse who passed away on May 19, 2009 at the age of 86. Hank was former mayor, deputy mayor and councillor of HV-GB, a husband, father, grandfather, advocate, and friend. Along with the Regatta, he inspired the cable car crossing at North West River (before there was a bridge), dreamed of the Trans Labrador Highway connecting across Labrador, built Snow Goose Mountain ski hill, and even started a farming operation at age 82!

Pat Vickers was another long time supporter of the Labrador Canoe Regatta. He was on the first organizing committee, and as a corporate sponsor (Vickers-Goose Sales and Service) he donated one of the original canoes. Pat looked to the future of the Regatta and assisted with the development of the parking lot in the park. The beachside Gazebo is named after Pat Vickers.

Gosling Park was developed by the Mokami Regional Development Association in the late 1970s. MRDA disbanded in the mid 1990's and the park is no longer maintained. It still includes a gated entrance and park building, tent and camper lots, an unsupervised sandy beach. The Regatta Committee also has a boat house and fenced beer garden.

Gosling Lake was originally called Salt Water Pond because it has a tidal connection to Lake Melville. It is still used today by locals for food fishing. The Labrador Christian Youth Camp is located at the far end of the lake, with a separate entrance from the park.

If you have more history information about the early Regattas, please email us with the information, or leave a note in the guestbook.