WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

A huge weekend of racing has begun, with the Head of the Schoolgirls' well underway on the Barwon River. Spectators will be flocking to Geelong across the weekend to support over 2,100 schoolgirls looking to achieve glory for their schools.

Meanwhile, our schoolboys will be heading to Nagambie tomorrow for the Scotch Mercantile Regatta / RV Junior Boys State Championships. All the best to those competing across the weekend!

We also look forward to seeing some positive Victorian results at the Australian Rowing Championships, with the action kicking off in Penrith on Monday.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING EVENTS

HEAD OF THE SCHOOLGIRLS'

The Head of the Schoolgirls' Regatta is underway on the Barwon River! Friday, the first of three days racing, saw the completion of heats for all events and divisions.

We wish all the best to those competing across the weekend, and look forward to the electric atmosphere!

Can't make it to the regatta? Tune into every race via the regatta live stream, with links provided below.

RA PATHWAYS INFO SESSION

Is your athlete wanting to continue rowing after school? Are they interesting in understanding the rowing opportunities in Australia and/or the US College system?

Take some time away from the Head of the Schoolgirls' action to hear from John Bowes, the Rowing Australia Pathway Transitions Coordinator.

When: 2pm on Saturday 16th March 2024
Where: Jeff Sykes Centre on the Barwon River
Who: For parents (& athletes if they are available)

VALE ROSEMARY RICHARDSON

Sadly, we advise of the death of Rosemary Richardson on Friday 8th March 2024. For those who did not know Rosemary, she organised the first World Sculling Cup sculling in 1993 on the Yarra River, Melbourne – an unimaginable feat.

This event over 5 days brought great fame to rowing including a televised event. To state the obvious, it took enormous effort over a decade to achieve and influencing people both here and at FISA. It was remarkable. It was a great example of how a combination of her high skills, great influencing ability, determination, persistence, imagination, financial expertise and superb organisation, can achieve the impossible.

Image: Rosemary at the 1992 regatta where she is speaking with Sir John and Lady Young (parents of 1980 Olympian Tim Young) and Rosemary’s husband Roland Richardson.

You can read more about Rosemary's contribution to rowing via Australian Rowing History.

CLUBMAP WEBINAR

CLUBMAP will be hosting another webinar on Monday March 18th - GOVERNANCE & FINANCE: EMPOWERING YOUR CLUB'S SUCCESS.

Great club governance and strong financial oversight creates a sustainable, attractive and reliable organisation. Ensure your club has the governance tips needed to operate effectively.

RIVER SAFETY - BOW & STERN LIGHTS

It is important that all rowers who are on the water (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 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 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.