WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Canberra was the hub of excitement last weekend with the Under 21 Team competing at the Trans-Tasman Regatta! We now cast our eyes back to the Senior / Para Team as they prepare for World Rowing Cup III.

As we head into Winter back in Victoria, it is important to stay safe out on the water. Please ensure your boats have adequate lighting, with requirements listed in every E-News.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING EVENTS

TRANS-TASMAN REGATTA

Congratulations to the Australian Under 21 Team for their efforts at the Trans-Tasman Regatta last weekend! The green and gold completed a clean sweep over New Zealand on Lake Burley Griffin, claiming the Rusty Robertson Trophy to continue their winning streak.

The Jamie McDonald (WBRC) coached Women's Four including Lucy Richardson (WBRC) secured Gold in 6:25.37, whilst the Women's Quad featuring Zara Kfouri (YYRC) flew home to win in 6:14.72. The crews combined in the Women's Eight, coxed by Joshua Feferkranz (MUBC), narrowly snatching the victory by 0.52 seconds, in a time of 5:53.00.

Tom Foley and Winston Hooper (MUBC) rowed in the Men's Four, coached by James Rook (MUBC), crossing the line in 5:45.22, 7 seconds ahead of the NZ crew. They followed this up with a relentless 12 second victory in the Men's Eight, in a time of 5:14.79. Both Eights also won their 3000m races on Friday afternoon.

The final point score was Australia 134 - New Zealand 104.

Images: Jamie McDonald

WORLD ROWING CUP III - PREVIEW

Next up on the international racing calendar is World Rowing Cup III in Poznan, Poland, from the 14th to 16th of June.

With only 50 days to go until the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, our Senior Aussie athletes will look to make the most of their last official racing opportunity.

19 Victorian athletes will be competing, as outlined in the crews below, with Susannah Lutze, Ria Thompson, and Al Viney making their exciting return to the green and gold.

AUSTRALIAN COASTAL ROWING & BEACH SPRINTS CHAMPIONSHIPS

ENTRIES OPEN

Entries are now open for the annual Australian Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprints Champs! This years event will be held at Mooloolba Beach, QLD, from the 15th-18th of August.

Grab your oars and get ready to feel the sand between your toes as you compete against the best in the country!

Entries close 11.59 pm AEST Monday 5 August 2024.

Pictured: RV member's training at Queenscliff with Jane Robinson

SPORT AUS HOF - SCHOLARSHIP & MENTORING PROGRAM

Applications are now open for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame 2025 Scholarship and Mentoring Program!

The program, supported by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) incorporating the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), assists young elite Australian athletes to reach the highest level of their chosen sport by providing financial support and more importantly, unrivalled access to mentoring from a Sport Australia Hall of Fame Member.

Previous scholarship recipients include Victorian rowers Susannah Lutze, Paige Barr, and Harry Fox.

LOCAL SPORTING CHAMPIONS

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships.

If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 (see eligibility) towards the cost of attending their championships. Applications can be made for eligible competitions held between 1 March 2024 and 30 November 2024, including State and National Championships.

Round 1 is now open and closes July 31st.

SIGNIFICANT SPORTING EVENTS PROGRAM

The Significant Sporting Events Program helps sporting, community and event organisations to deliver significant sporting events in Victoria.

Grants of up to $20,000 are available to event organisers seeking funding support to assist with general operational costs associated with hosting events. Grants of up to $150,000 are available to develop or expand events, or for events with high operational costs (typically more than $200,000).

Applications close June 30th.

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.