WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Despite more wet conditions over the weekend, it was great to be back on Lake Hamilton for the return of the Hamilton Regatta! We look forward to finishing 2023 on a high this weekend with the Henley on the Maribyrnong!

Please be advised the Rowing Victoria office will be closed from COB Friday 22nd December 2023 and reopening on Tuesday 2nd January 2024. If you need assistance prior to the new year, please reach out to the team!

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING EVENTS

HAMILTON REGATTA

It was fantastic to see the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Hon. Steve Dimopoulos visiting the Hamilton Regatta on Saturday!

We appreciate that he made the time to visit the regatta and see first hand the enthusiasm of our regional rowers and get an appreciation of the importance of regional regattas to rowing in Victoria, including the challenges that regional rowing clubs face in hosting their regattas.

Well done to Hamilton Rowing Club for their efforts in hosting another great regional regatta.

Pictured: Ashley Quinsey (Captain, Hamilton RC), Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, & Deb Spring (RV Chair)

BOYS IN THE BOAT PREMIERE

We had a wonderful night at the premiere screening of ‘The Boys in the Boat’ on Monday, with 60 members of the Victorian rowing community attending from 30 clubs and schools

Thank you to Rowing Australia, 776BC, Universal Studies, & Hoyts for making it possible. For those who did not attend, the official release date is January 4th!

HOTY GALLERY

The first batch of crew photos from the Head of the Yarra are now available!

These are supplied free of charge and can be accessed via the link below.

2024 PATHWAY STATE TEAM - SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

The selection policies and nomination form for the 2024 Pathway State Team are now live on the Rowing Victoria website and available below.

Please note that this year, Coxed Quad crews will be selected for the first time, alongside the traditional Eights.

Nominations close February 9th (Coaches) and March 5th (Athletes).

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 31 December 2023.

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.