WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We saw lots of rowing action last weekend, with the Head of the Mitchell in Bairnsdale, as well as the Australian Boat Race on the Yarra. Thank you to Bairnsdale RC for their hosting efforts and well done to all competitors!

This weekend we are very excited for the return of the Bendigo Sprint Regatta, with the regatta last hosted in 2019! More than 230 athletes will be travelling to Lake Weeroona to support the Bendigo rowing community.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING REGATTAS

BEACH SPRINTS TO BE ADDED TO LA 2028

The International Olympic Committee has announced that Beach Sprint Rowing, a format of the Coastal Rowing discipline, will be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games programme, alongside Classic Rowing.

For the first time, Rowing will be featured in two different disciplines, both set to be showcased at the heart of the Olympic Games.

Rowing Victoria looks forward to providing further Coastal Rowing opportunities for our members in season 2023/24.

Image: Rowing Australia

AUSTRALIAN BOAT RACE

The Australian Boat Race was held last Saturday, with Melbourne University and Sydney University competing on the Yarra River.

Sydney University claimed both men's and women's trophies this year, despite our local Melbourne University crews putting up a good fight! The tally is now 11-2 overall in favour of Sydney for the Men's, and 5-8 overall in favour of Melbourne for the Women's.

The locals did however claim both college trophies, with Trinity College and Ormond College (Melbourne Uni) coming out on top.

Well done to all athletes who competed, with crews pictured below.

Images: Australian Boat Race

UPCOMING CLUB OPEN DAYS

ALBERT PARK LAKE

Sunday 5th November | 9am - 11:30am

Albert Park South Melbourne Rowing Club, Melbourne Argonauts Rowing Club, and the Y Rowing Club invite you to explore rowing in Albert Park.

The opportunity is here for you on Albert Park Lake with three active clubs to cater for your level of rowing. Come along and enjoy taking a tour of the facilities, speaking with club members about rowing opportunities, row on the lake*, and seeing what rowing in Albert Park has to offer.

GEELONG

Friday 17th November | 5pm - 7pm

Barwon Rowing Club and Corio Bay Rowing Club invite you to explore the rowing opportunities available in Geelong.

Have you rowed when you were younger and would like to return to rowing? Come along and enjoy taking a tour of the facilities, speaking with club members about rowing opportunities, row on the Barwon*, and seeing what rowing in Geelong has to offer.

WEBINAR - ONLINE SAFETY FOR SPORTING CLUBS

People are online every day as part of sport – we regularly use technology to engage with our sport community, from things like team apps and private group chats to public social media posts and more.

Just like poor conduct and abuse can occur in-person at sport – it can happen online too. Sports administrators are responsible for making sure everyone involved is safe and enjoys sport.

eSafety's online webinar will support you in navigating online spaces, including useful tips and guidance, case studies and more.

2 sessions will be held on Tue 14 November and Wed 22 November.

Webinars will cover:

NOMINATIONS - RV MASTERS STATE TEAM SELECTORS

Rowing Victoria is calling for nominations to assist in the selection of the 2024 State Masters Team.

We are seeking to fill two selector positions.

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

CORIO BAY CELEBRATES 150 YEARS

Last weekend, the Corio Bay Rowing Club hosted their 150th Anniversary Dinner in Geelong.

Since its inception in 1873, the club has steered a course through the challenges of world wars, pandemics, economic downturns, and profound social change.

Today, it proudly stands as one of Geelong's vibrant hubs for rowing, with regular attendance and success at Victorian regattas in recent years.

Rowing VIctoria President Deb Spring was in attendance, pictured below with Trent Sullivan, Mayor of Geelong, and Corio Bay members.

AUSTRALIAN INDOOR ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Time is ticking as the entry deadline for the Australian Indoor Rowing Championships (AIRC) is fast approaching— Sunday, 22nd October. Don't miss this chance to engage the rowing clubs in your states in a global event that has attracted participants from countries such as the Faroe Islands, Finland, The Netherlands, Brazil, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada.
 

GET ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHER PROGRAM

The Get Active Kids Voucher Program is now open! Get in quick as applications for a voucher will close when the allocation has been exhausted. 

If your family or child has a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, you may be eligible for up to $200 to put towards the cost of your child’s participation in sport and active recreation activities.

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 organisations that are regionally specific and recognised by a relevant sporting body.

Applications close October 31st.

CLUBMAP WEBINAR

CLUBMAP will be hosting another webinar on Monday October 23rd - GRANTS: SECURE MORE FUNDING.

Many clubs just aren't aware of the depth of grants that clubs are eligible for. They'll show you how to source more funding opportunities and give your club the best chance of success.

RIVER SAFETY - BOW & STERN LIGHTS

With the darker mornings and evenings now upon us, it is crucial 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.