WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

The wind picked up across Lake Wendouree last Saturday adding some extra challenge for competitors at the Ballarat Regatta. Despite this, it was great to see a number of crews returning for the first time in 2024.

This weekend we head to Geelong for the two-day Barwon Regatta, with trophies on offer, we're sure crews will be bringing plenty of energy! The Barwon River is set for another great weekend of racing!

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING EVENTS

AUSTRALIAN HENLEY REGATTA

The Australian Henley Regatta is once again offering a full programme covering all grades.

For club rowers everywhere, two new events are on offer for 2024!

Women's Double Scull   |   Men's Double Scull

Come and enjoy racing on the beautiful Yarra course, the hospitality of the regatta, and win the first running of these great new events?

Photo: Eaglehawk (Bendigo) and Mildura fighting out the finish of a club event in 1930.

AND while the Junior Girls State Champs is taking place on the Barwon, we invite schools to enter their Year 9 Boys in a new school event for 2024!

Male School Coxed Quad Scull Year 9

2024 MASTERS STATE TEAM - NOMINATIONS

A friendly reminder that the selection policies and nomination form for the 2024 Masters State Team are now live on the Rowing Victoria website and available below.

Male and Female Eights and Quads are to be selected to compete at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships at Lake Barrington, Tasmania, from 8-11 May.

Nominations close February 2nd (Athletes & Coaches).

Please direct any questions regarding selection to Delwyn Oliver on delwyn@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. Event Assistance Grants are available to event organisers seeking funding support to assist with general operational costs associated with hosting events while Event Development Grants are available to develop or expand events, or for events with high operational costs.

Funding available between $20,000 and $150,000.

Applications close 29 February 2024.

CLUBMAP WEBINAR

CLUBMAP will be hosting another webinar on Monday February 12th - SHARING THE WORK LOAD IN 2024

Discover ways to develop the right structure to share the load at your organisation, reduce burnout and increase the lifespan of volunteers.

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.