WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

It has been an action packed fortnight for the rowing community, both on and off the water.

Our Australian representatives have produced fantastic results overseas at the International Para Rowing Regatta and World Rowing Cup II.

Meanwhile on home soil, Victorians have been recognised with Kings Birthday honours, and our premiership winners have been announced!

Read about more exciting opportunities and announcements below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING REGATTAS

VICTORIANS RECOGNISED WITH KINGS BIRTHDAY HONOURS

Rowing Victoria congratulates two fine Victorians and servants of our community who have received recognition in the King's Birthday 2023 Honours List. Rowing Victoria also congratulates all Honours recipients throughout the country.

The Hon. Patrick J McNamara has been appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to rowing, to the parliament of Victoria, and to the community through a range of roles.

Mr. Andrew Guerin has been awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for service to rowing and to sport history. 

Read more about their contributions via our website.

WORLD ROWING CUP II

Our Victorian athletes contributed to positive results for Australia at World Rowing Cup II in Varese, Italy, between the 16th and 18th June. Congratulations to all athletes and crews on their performances! 

These athletes will now look to World Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland, as they continue their journey towards Olympic qualification at the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, this September.

(Images: Rowing Australia & World Rowing)

INTERNATIONAL PARA ROWING REGATTA

The International Para Rowing Regatta took place in Gavirate, Italy, between the 9th and 11th June. The Australian Rowing Team put on an impressive display across the three days, claiming 7 gold medals and some vital international racing experience.

Susannah Lutze (Banks Rowing Club) and Teesaan Koo (Melbourne University Boat Club) rowed as part of a new combination in the double-gold winning PR3 Mix Coxed 4+.

Congratulations to these athletes and their crew!

As per the rest of our Australian representatives, these athletes will continue working towards the World Championships in Belgrade, where there are Paralympic qualification spots up for grabs.

(Image: Rowing Australia)

PREMIERSHIP WINNERS

Rowing Victoria is every excited to announce our premiership winners for the 2022/23 Season!

Falling just short last season, Mercantile RC returned with vengeance, claiming both the Champion Club & Senior premierships.

Essendon RC make it back-to-back Grade premierships, following another huge finish to the season.

Finally, Melbourne RC take out the Masters premiership after a dominant display across the Masters regattas.

We congratulate these clubs and look forward to officially presenting their premierships at our Annual Awards night later this year.

Full standings can be accessed by following the link below and clicking the heading of each table.

ROWING AUSTRALIA U23 US-BASED SELECTIONS

Congratulations to the following US-based Victorians, and their crews, for their selection in the 2023 National U23 Team!

Congratulations also to Annabelle Eaton (Mercantile RC), who has been appointed as coach of the Women’s 4+.

These athletes have been selected from a pool of Australian rowers who are currently based in the US College system as part of Rowing Australia’s High Performance Pathway. 

These crews will compete alongside the previously selected U23 crews at the World Rowing U23 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, between the 19th and 23rd July.

HIRING - REGATTA OPERATIONS & SERVICES COORDINATOR

Reporting to the CEO of Rowing Victoria (RV), the Regatta Operations & Services Coordinator is responsible for the delivery of high-quality services for rowing regattas, to strengthen RV’s relationship with regatta stakeholders, hosts and entrants, to build the sport of rowing throughout Victoria.

To apply, please email your CV and Cover Letter to ian@rowingvictoria.asn.au.

HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA

The exciting action of the Henley Royal Regatta begins next Tuesday the 27th June. We will be eagerly watching a number of Victorian crews competing in events across the week.

National Schoolgirl Eight Champions, Melbourne Girls Grammar School, will be looking to replicate the success of St. Catherine's in 2022, with an entry in the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy. 

MUBC are the only Victorian club competing, with entries in three events.

Jean Mitchell & Eliza Gaffney will be racing in the Hambledon Pairs Challenge Cup (W2-), where Mitchell will be looking to go one better following her Semi-Final exit last year.

Damien Schroder will be competing in the Diamond Challenge Sculls (M1x), whilst Will Achermann, Hamish Wynn-Pope, Charlie Batrouney, and Miller Rowe (KAND RC) will be taking on the Visitors’ Challenge Cup (M4-).

You can view all the action via the Henley Royal Regatta YouTube account.

ERIC WALLER MEMORIAL

A friendly reminder to the rowing community that the memorial service for Eric Waller is scheduled for this Sunday the 25th June.

Please be advised that the service has moved and will now take place at the Lake View Hotel, Lake Wendouree.

CLUBMAP WEBINARS

CLUBMAP will be hosting another webinar on Monday June 26th - 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.