WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We had a pleasant change of scenery last weekend, with Masters racing returning to a calm Albert Park Lake. Thank you to our host clubs Albert Park South Melbourne, Melbourne Argonauts, and Y Rowing.

The Victorian rowing season comes to a close this weekend, with Masters crews looking to claim their state titles as they build momentum towards the Australian Masters Rowing Championships.

Excitingly, a number of sprint races have also been added to round out Sunday's RV Masters State Championships schedule.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING EVENTS

MASTERS STATE TEAM - UNIFORM PRESENTATION

The Victorian Masters State Team uniform presentation will be held at the Victorian Masters State Championships in Nagambie on Saturday April 27th.

Join us 20 minutes after the last race on Saturday to congratulate those selected, as the team prepares to compete at the Australian Masters Championships on Lake Barrington on Friday May 10th.

ANZAC DAY INDOOR ROWING CHALLENGE

Well done to all members who participated in Rowing Australia's ANZAC Day Indoor Rowing Challenge yesterday.

Athletes from the Nagambie, Bairnsdale, and Barwon Rowing Club's took to their ergs to honour the ANZAC spirit and support RSL Australia's ANZAC Appeal. Shout out to Nagambie RC for their 3rd place finish in total distance!

FOOT STRETCHER RESEARCH

Deakin University and Sykes Rowing are looking to gather rowers opinions on foot stretchers to help develop something the market needs.

They are interested to know what does/doesn’t work, the most critical requirements, and how they could be improved.

The short 10 question survey can be completed via the link below. All responses will remain anonymous. Your feedback is crucial to their research and they thank you in advance for your time and participation.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, please do not hesitate to contact e.allenhoward@deakin.edu.au.

ALBERT PARK MASTERS - GALLERY

Images: 'Boathouse Drive'

JOB BOARD

Please be advised that multiple roles have become available within the Victorian rowing community. More information and job descriptions can be found via the link below.

AMRC ACCOMODATION

Rowing Victoria have been advised that some accomodation has become available close to Lake Barrington for the Australian Masters Rowing Championships.

If anyone is looking for a last minute accomodation option, you are encouraged to contact Gowrie Park.

VALE KAYE SCHMIDT

On Friday, March 1st, Kaye Schmidt, the President of Power House Rowing Club died. Kaye was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the Rutherglen Regatta. Unfortunately, the cancer did not respond to treatment.

The loves of Kaye's life were her family, skiing and rowing. She followed her daughters into rowing and joined APSM about 20 years ago. From there she migrated to Melbourne RC where she discovered big boats and Head racing. About eight years ago, she followed some friends upstream and Power House became her rowing home. Subsequently she became Treasurer of the Club and then President.  

Kaye led Power House through the COVID pandemic and set-up the Club’s post COVID recovery. She leaves a strong Club that has regained its pre-lockdown momentum. The Power House community has lost a great leader, a generous mentor and a good friend. We are sure that many other in the rowing community share our grief.

In her honour, Power House Rowing Club plans to buy a new racing four that will be named the “Kaye Yvonne Schmidt”. Power House has set up an ASF project so that Tax deductible donations can be made to assist this purchase. Members of the rowing community and other friends of Kaye are invited to contribute to this fund. Instructions, detailing how to contribute, can be found at the following link.

WOMEN IN SPORTS AND RECREATION ELIGIBLE FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Women & Leadership Australia has announced new scholarships to enable more women to access world-class leadership and workplace skill development programs.

By combining cutting-edge leadership theory with practical application, and a flexible part-time delivery, Women & Leadership Australia offers an unparalleled learning experience designed to fit into your busy schedule.

With partial scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, there are four programs to suit women in non-leadership roles all the way up to senior executives. 

Applications close Friday April 26th.

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.