WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Well done to Bairnsdale RC, and all the clubs and schools who attended the Head of the Mitchell last weekend! Was great to see the rain hold off for some competitive racing.

Unfortunately, despite efforts to relocate, this weekends Sprint Regatta has been cancelled due to the current severe weather event. Similarly, next weekends Head of the Goulburn has also been postponed.

We encourage everybody to prioritise their safety during these times and we look forward to seeing you all back on the water in the near future!

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

        UPCOMING REGATTAS

SPRINT REGATTA - CANCELLED

Due to the severe weather event which has resulted in significant flooding through the state and adverse travel conditions, the Sprint Regatta will unfortunately be cancelled this weekend.

The safety of our community is paramount, and Rowing Victoria would like to thank the Nagambie Rowing Club, Shepparton Rowing Club, the Strathbogie Shire and the RV Umpires for their tremendous support with attempting to host the relocated regatta this weekend.

HEAD OF THE GOULBURN - POSTPONED

Additionally, with more rain forecast for next week, the decision has been made to postpone the Head of the Goulburn scheduled for Saturday October 22.

Rowing Victoria will work with the Strathbogie Shire and Nagambie Rowing Club in looking for an alternative date.

VOWA LUNCHEON

On Sunday the 2nd of October, the Victorian Oarsmen and Women’s Association (VOWA) held a luncheon alongside their AGM. As part of the luncheon, there was a presentation of the Tom Rodda Award. The award recognises a person in the rowing community who has done great service to the sport. This year, Essendon RC member and accredited RV Umpire, Glenn Bottrell, received the award.

Bob Duncan, who one of the RV’s awards is named after, attended the function and donated to RV a Victorian Rowing Association Centenary Commemorative 1876 - 1976 medallion. There were only a hundred of these made, with Tom Rodda receiving the first and Bob the 100th!

(Images: Andrew Guerin)

ROWING AUSTRALIA X SCIENCE OF ROWING

Rowing Australia has recently announced a new partnership with Science of Rowing. Science of Rowing's mission is to mobilise evidence-based research making it more accessible and most importantly, applicable to the rowing community. 

If this something that interests you, members can enjoy a 20% discount on monthly and annual memberships using the coupon code “ROWAUS20”.

AIRC - EARLY RESULTS SUBMISSION

The Australian Indoor Rowing Championships are scheduled for the 29th of October, with entries closing on the 23rd of October.

Due to a number of events clashing with this date, Rowing Australia are enabling competitors to submit results early, from 6am Wednesday the 26th, through to 6am Saturday the 29th of October.

A number of events are available, including the 4x500m relays! Race with your friends against other crews at your club or school to get bragging rights!

2022 AIRC t-shirts are also available to the first 500 entries! Enter today or find out more information via the link below.

STATE OF PLAY ATTITUDINAL SURVEY

The State of Play Attitudinal Survey is now open – share what you think about certain aspects of sport and active recreation in Victoria for your chance to win one of 25 $100 Visa Gift Cards.

The survey should take 10-12 minutes to complete and will provide Sport and Recreation Victoria with invaluable information to help shape the future of sport and active recreation in our state.

Click on the link below to have your say. This survey will be open until 11:59pm Sunday 6 November 2022.

RV ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is given for the 146th Annual General Meeting to be held at 10am on Sunday the 23rd October 2022. 

The meeting will be conducted online and will include the election of two directors to the Rowing Victoria Board.

Access more details or RSVP via the link below.

CHILD SAFE STANDARDS

To assist the broader rowing community in understanding the Child Safe expectations of Rowing Victoria, and our member clubs and schools, we will be highlighting one of the new standards within each E-News edition.

JOPLING FAMILY ROWING SCHOLARSHIP

The Jopling Family Rowing Scholarship is a scholarship at The University of Melbourne that aims to provide future generations with an opportunity to excel, in the expectation that it will inspire them, in turn, to give back to their communities.

The two successful scholarship applicants will have demonstrated community leadership, be strong academically and be highly talented rowers.

The scholarship will provide financial support of up to $25,000 per year (plus further in-kind support) for up to four years, depending on the course of study of the scholarship recipient. 

Applications are now open and close 5pm Wednesday 16 November 2022.

To find out more information, please click below.

GET ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHER PROGRAM

Round 5 of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program is now open, and you need to be a registered activity provider to be able to accept vouchers! 

By registering, your organisation will be supporting Victorian children to get involved in organised sport and active recreation activities and be able to accept vouchers of up to $200 towards the cost of membership and registration costs (as well as any included uniforms and/or equipment).

Registration is quick, easy and will only take a few minutes.

CLUBMAP WEBINARS

CLUBMAP will be hosting another webinar on Monday October 17th - MEMBERSHIP: THE SECRET TO CLUB SUCCESS.

Membership is the lifeblood of all clubs. Learn about proven, new-age methods to grow your club's membership.

They'll cover participation and the biggest missed opportunity at community sport, supporter memberships.

RIVER SAFETY - BOW & STERN LIGHTS

With the dark mornings now upon us it is crucial that all rowers who are on the water (and coaches on bikes and powerboats) between sunset and sunrise all have adequate lighting for your safety and the safety of others. 

Rowing boats, in restricted visibility and between sunset and sunrise, are required 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).

SAFETY REMINDER

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

The police have 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 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.