WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We had a beautiful sunny start to the 2024/25 Victorian rowing season last Saturday at the Saltwater Challenge. Thank you to Essendon RC for their efforts in accomodating more than 700 athletes!

This weekend, members venture north for the Flying Doctor Rowathon, raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service! Those unable to attend may still contribute to the cause by making a donation via the link below.

Finally, some familiar faces will be representing Australia this weekend at the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals!

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING EVENTS

WORLD ROWING BEACH SPRINT FINALS

The World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals begin today in Genoa, Italy, with the event running from the 13th-15th September.

14 Australians will be competing across Open, Under 19, and Para crews, including 6 Rowsellas stars. Victorians Amanda Bateman (MUBC) and Ben Canham (MUBC) will feature in the Mixed Quad Scull, with their first Time-Trial at 7:50pm AEST tonight.

Read more and follow their progress via the links below.

CLUB-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP INFORMATION SESSION

6pm Tuesday 17th September - RV Office / Online

There is opportunity for rowing clubs to expand use of their facilities along with offering young people a chance at learning to row through a Club - School Partnership.

This session is for clubs who may be interested in this idea. The information and discussion will be around how this kind of partnership could work and the steps needed to enable it to run. 

More information, including registration link and an outline of the arrangement can be found via the link below.

BOATHOUSE DRIVE OPEN DAY

SUNDAY 6TH OCTOBER | 9:00AM -11:30AM

Are you a past rower looking to return to rowing, or a school leaver looking to continue rowing? Perhaps you're looking to join an elite program, or a recreational club? If so, this event is for you!

The rowing clubs located on Boathouse Drive are opening their doors and welcoming you into their rowing clubs on Sunday the 6th of October, from 9-11:30am. The amazing facilities and wonderful club members will ensure your time on Boathouse Drive shows you the many opportunities available to you in rowing.

Participating clubs include Melbourne University, Yarra Yarra, Banks, Mercantile, Melbourne, and Richmond. Register for the Open Day below for the chance to row on the Yarra with one of these clubs. Come along and be part of the action!

SALTWATER CHALLENGE - GALLERY

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 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.

Guest speakers include Wayne Bennett, Bonnie Hancock, Scott Fairweather, Bronwen Lundy, and Dr. Tony Rice.

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.

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.

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.