WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Last weekend we saw some sunny conditions grace Lake Weeroona for the Bendigo Sprint Regatta. Well done to Bendigo RC and all competitors! This weekend the season starts to heat up, with multiple regattas scheduled!

We look forward to our first school regatta of the season, with Lauriston hosting both girls & boys on the Barwon River. Meanwhile, a range of clubs & schools will venture to Nagambie for the Foot of the Goulburn!

Off the water, the Australian Indoor Rowing Championships and the RV Annual General Meeting will also being taking place.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

HEAD OF THE CHARLES

The Head of the Charles Regatta was held last weekend in Boston/Cambridge, USA, with the regatta playing host to 12,000 athletes and tens of thousands of spectators.

This year we had a number of Victorians racing, including two Lighweight Eights, which were put together by the World Lightweight Rowing Alliance (WLRA). The WLRA is a not-for-profit group registered in the UK, driven by Peter Antonie, whose mission is to support the continued relevance of lightweight rowing.

A huge congratulations to the Lightweight Women who claimed first place by less than a second over the local Boston University crew! The Lightweight Men put in a solid row to place in the top 10, with the Harvard University crew, including former Corio Bay and Victoria rower Charlie Rahdon, taking out first place.

Peter Antonie also took his opportunity to get on the water, rowing with 1 of 2 crews representing the Upper Yarra RC. Congratulations to Peter and his crew who also took out first place in the Grand Master (60+) category.

Finally, a shoutout to Cate McNeil from Mercantile RC for her efforts, finishing 23rd in the Youth Single Scull.

Well done to all athletes, it is always fantastic to see Victorians challenging themselves overseas!

Full regatta results can be accessed via the link below:

VALUED VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – MELBOURNE HEAD

Saturday 16th November

The first Melbourne Regatta for the new season, and we would value and welcome ALL Volunteers for this Premier Head Race of Australia, please!

Timers, Staging Marshalls, Bow Numbers Distribution, Motor-boat Drivers, Pre-Start Marshalls, Equipment Setup, Boat Trailer & Pedestrian Controllers, Presentations, Deliveries on Bikes along rowing course, and more.

Friday tasks for Volunteers are available too!

Please advise your availability and any questions, by contacting Maurie Fanning on mfanning@bigpond.net.au or 0414 926 142.

BENDIGO SPRINT REGATTA - GALLERY

THE AUSTRALIAN BOAT RACE

The 160 year old rivalry between Melbourne University and Sydney University continues on Sunday with their annual showdown in the Australian Boat Race.

This year, the race will happen on the waters of Sydney Harbour, as Melbourne looks to break Sydney's winning streak. All the best to the athletes selected, listed below.

Colleges from both universities will be racing from 8:15am before the main races at 9am (Women) and 9:40am (Men).

CURRENT STANDINGS

WOMEN

MEN

AUSTRALIAN INDOOR ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Australian Indoor Rowing Championships are on tomorrow, with this year’s event fully virtual.

This allows participants to row from the comfort of their own home or at one of the designed partner hubs, including Hawthorn RC.

We wish all the best to any Victorians competing!

UPCOMING EVENTS

SIGNIFICANT SPORTING EVENTS PROGRAM

The Significant Sporting Events Program helps sporting, community and event organisations to deliver significant sporting events in Victoria.

Eligible events include those hosted by local sporting clubs that are regionally specific and recognised by a relevant sporting body.

Round 2 is now open, with applications closing October 31st.

REMINDER: BOW & STERN LIGHTS

It is important that ALL rowers on ALL waterways (and coaches on bikes and powerboats) between sunset and sunrise have adequate lighting for your safety and the safety of others. 

Rowing boats, in restricted visibility and between sunset and sunrise, are required by LAW to exhibit;

• Two all-round white lights - one attached to the boat at or near the forward or bow end, and one attached to the boat at or near the stern end.
• Bow light - A continuous white light is considered acceptable if it is visible in clear conditions from a distance of 1 kilometre.
• Stern light - A flashing white light is considered acceptable if it flashes at least once per second and is visible in clear conditions from a distance of 1 kilometre.

Not withstanding the above, it is considered acceptable for a light to be masked so as not to interfere with the vision of the vessel’s occupants, provided at least one light is visible from any direction (see diagram below).

BIKE LIGHTS

In addition to safely lighting our boats, it is important that coaches are also meeting requirements off the water. By law, your bike must be fitted with a rear red reflector, a bell, and at least one working brake.

When riding at night and in low-light, you must use a front white light and a rear red light. The light can be flashing or steady but must be seen from 200 metres away. It is also a good idea to use flashing lights during the day to help other road users see you.

SAFETY REMINDER

Rowing Victoria would like to remind all members the importance of using our equipment and waterways safely and appropriately.

Please follow traffic rules, including correctly using designated turning zones. By following these rules, our waterways are safer for all. 

We have also been made aware of a number of incidents where rowing coaches have been sighted either riding without helmets, using megaphones at incorrect hours, or using mobile phones while riding (both in conversation or filming their crews).

For your own safety, to avoid fines, and to respect other members of the community, we ask that you please ensure you are obeying the law and not partaking in the behaviours above.

WATERWAY ACCESS & INCIDENT REPORTING

Could all waterway users please ensure they are acquainted with their local waterway rules; traffic direction, turning points, stationary obstacles etc.

So that RV, Maritime Safety Victoria and now, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority can support the community in providing safe waterways, please register all incidents via the RV Report an Incident tile on the home page of the RV website.

A consistent management of reporting will assist us in ensuring we are kept safe on the water and the chances of equipment damage is mitigated.