WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Well done to Bairnsdale RC for their efforts hosting the Head of the Mitchell last weekend, and congratulations to all event winners!

This week its Bendigo's turn, with a record number of entries taking on Lake Weeroona for the Bendigo Sprint Regatta! The NWSC will also play host to our first time trial of the season.

Meanwhile, a number of Victorians are competing in the US...

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

BOATHOUSE DRIVE NOTICE - ABILITY FEST 2024

Ability Fest is taking place tomorrow in Alexandra Gardens behind Boathouse Drive, with the area surrounding the boat sheds being used as an Accessible Drop Off Point.

It has been requested that Boathouse Drive be cleared of any vehicles and rowing equipment from 11:30am to allow clear access.

Thank you for your cooperation.

HEAD OF THE CHARLES

The Head of the Charles Regatta begins today in Boston/Cambridge, USA, with the action continuing across the weekend. The regatta, which started in 1965, plays host to 12,000 athletes and tens of thousands of spectators, with crews racing over 3 miles (4.83km).

This year we have a number of Victorians racing across two Lighweight Eights, which have been 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.

The eights are made up of athletes throughout Australia, with their final training sessions conducted in Melbourne and Geelong prior to their departure, with the assistance of Paul McGann.

Both crews will be racing on Sunday (Monday morning in AUS).

Regatta results and livestream can be accessed via the link below:

STUDENT LEADER FORUM

5:45PM TONIGHT - BANKS RC & ONLINE

Victorian schools have over 4,500 competitive rowers every season. These rowers are a part of great ongoing traditions, as well as new programs that continue to develop.

Rowing Victoria are looking for student leaders from ALL crews to attend a forum and discuss what you love about rowing and what would keep you rowing in years to come, including:

• What do you enjoy.
• Aspects of rowing that are challenging.
• Why some of your fellow rowers do not continue to row through to Yr11 & Yr12.
• What are you looking for in sport after school. 
• Ideas you may have to encourage students to continue rowing.
• Schools are welcome to send 1 or 2 current student leaders or students who are in Yr12 and have finished their journey through the school program.

If you are unable to attend the forum in-person, an online meeting link is available. It would be appreciated if you can register via the link below, however it is not mandatory.

OCEANIA COACHING & SPORTS SCIENCE CONFERENCE

This year's event will take place at Griffith University on the Gold Coast from Thursday October 31 to Saturday November 2.

The event theme, The Power of Teamwork, promises to inspire and empower attendees with invaluable insights. The conference is open to coaches and professionals from all sports, offering a unique opportunity to learn from experts across various disciplines. See below for our keynote speakers - you don't want to miss this!

Take advantage of discounted rates for multi-day tickets, and consider adding a ticket to the prestigious Hancock Prospecting Rower of the Year Awards, taking place on Saturday night, November 2nd, at the QT Gold Coast.

Purchase your ticket by 5:00pm on Friday, 18 October and you'll go in the draw to win your money back!

Secure your spot by purchasing your ticket below.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FACE-TO-FACE L1 BRO COURSE

6pm Friday 15 November 2024 - Loreto College, Ballarat

Rowing Victoria Umpires will be hosting an in-person education session for those interested in getting involved as Level 1 Boat Race Officials.

Register now to ensure your skillset is ready to assist your club or school throughout the 2024/25 season!

NOMINATIONS - RV MASTERS SELECTORS

Rowing Victoria is calling for nominations for selectors to assist in the selection of Victorian Masters teams to represent Victoria. We are seeking to fill three selector positions.

For more information please contact Adam Harrison at adam@rowingvictoria.asn.au.

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.