WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Its been a jam-packed week of successful racing for our Australian Olympians! Here at Rowing Victoria, we couldn't be prouder of our athletes who have represented us and showcased their talents on an international stage. Find out what races are still to come in this week's E-News. 

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The RV Annual Awards will be held on Saturday the 21st of September at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club. There is still plenty of time to purchase your ticket and to nominate someone you believe is deserving of an award on the night. Find out more below - nominations will be closing at 5pm on Friday the 16th of August!

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As learn to row programs commence over the next few weeks, clubs and schools are reminded about the importance of using navigational lights and ensuring safe travelling up and downstream. The Yarra river navigational guide is included in this week's E-News.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

OLYMPICS

The 'Rowsellas' have had a successful week of racing in Paris with some exciting finals still to come over the next couple of days! There has been some tough racing and agonisingly close finishes over the past few days, but our Olympians have shone bright in a competitive field of international crews and showcased how hard they've trained over the past few years. We congratulate the W4x (ft. Ria Thompson), W2x (ft. Amanda Bateman), W4- (ft. Jean Mitchell), and M4- (ft. Tim Masters, Jack Robertson, and Fergus Hamilton) on their Olympic campaign - you raced admirably and did Australia proud!

We look forward to cheering on the W2-, W1x, and the mens' and womens' 8+ in their respective A finals this weekend. Hopefully we will see some podium finishes and bring some medals home! The races will be broadcasted on the Nine Network, 9Now, and Stan Sport.

Stay tuned for a full summary of the Rowsella's Olympic campaign, picture gallery, and Paralympic updates in next week's E-Newsletter!

NOMINATE NOW FOR THE RV ANNUAL AWARDS

Nominations for the Rowing Victoria Annual Awards are open now! This is a great opportunity to nominate someone at your club who you believe is worthy of recognition at one of the biggest nights on the RV calendar. 

Nominations will be closing at 5pm, Friday August 16th.

  UPCOMING EVENTS

REMINDER: ADAPTIVE ROWING - CONNECTIONS

If you're an adaptive rower or coach, this is a great opportunity for you to make connections with others sharing similar stories. Designed for current coaches and athletes within the adaptive/para rowing community, this session will foster the sharing of information about training, racing, and equipment between members. 

The session will be held on Sunday the 18th of August at 1:30pm at Albert Park. Register below!

YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED: GOTCHA4LIFE 24 HOUR ROW

Registrations for the 2024 Gotcha4Life 24 hour row are open now. The event will be held from 7/09/2024 - 8/09/2024.

This challenge is a chance to bring communities together to support and build mental fitness. By participating, you'll help raise vital funds to deliver mental fitness programs to schools, sporting clubs, and communities nationwide. Register today and make a difference!

2024 FLYING DOCTOR ROWATHON

The 31st Flying Doctor Rowathon is fast approaching and will be hosted by Wentworth District Rowing Club on Saturday, September 14. By participating, you'll be raising funds that go towards supporting the work and services that the Flying Doctors supply. 

Secure your entry via the link below - entries will be closing on Sunday the 25th of August. 

LEVEL 2 COACHING ACCREDITATION

Are you keen to undertake your Level 2 Coaching course? 

If so, please ensure you've met all the requirements for the accreditation. This includes:

1. completing the RA level 2 online modules, found here
2. completing an in-person discussion and problem solving session 
3. completing an in-person rigging session 

There is limited availability remaining for the in-person discussion and problem solving session being held on Tuesday August 13 from 5:30-9pm at the Rowing Victoria office. If you are interested, please email Delwyn at delwyn@rowingvictoria.asn.au

YARRA RIVER NAVIGATION GUIDE

Clubs and schools are reminded navigational lights are mandatory across all Victorian waterways from dusk (5.00pm) to dawn (7.15am). 

For Yarra River waterway users, CLICK HERE for the Yarra River navigational guide to assist with navigating safe travelling up and downstream

For the safety of all waterway users, please pass this important safety notice to all members, coaches, and staff within your organisation.

HENLEY LANDING HAZARD UNTIL 16/08/2024

A reminder to continue to take caution when rowing on the Yarra and avoid the barge blocking Henley Landing (downstream end). The exclusion zone will remain in place until the 16th of August, 2024. Signage and buoyage are marking the area.

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).

BIKE LIGHTS AND HELMETS

In addition to safely lighting our boats, it is important that coaches are also meeting requirements off the water. By law you must wear a helmet, and 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.

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.