WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Despite some very tough conditions last weekend in Carrum and Geelong, our two school regattas went ahead! Well done to all involved, including officials, hosts, athletes, and coaches.

This weekend we are very excited for the return of the Nestles/Hamilton Regatta, providing our first opportunity to race on Lake Hamilton since 2019! Please note that the regatta has been shortened to Saturday only, with a revised schedule developed.

The NWSC will also play host to the final National Time Trial this Saturday.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING EVENTS

THANK YOU UMPIRES

Rowing Victoria would like to put a special thank you out to our volunteer umpiring team for their efforts last weekend!

The team covered 21 hours of racing across 2 regattas, all whilst enduring torrential rain and low temperatures.

With International Volunteer Day this week, it's the perfect time to celebrate our volunteers for their enormous contributions to our sport.

Our sport wouldn’t be possible without them, and it’s important for us as a community to show our appreciation for them at all regattas. 💙

Are you interested in joining our volunteer team? Find out more via the link below or by contacting newumpires@rowingvictoria.asn.au.

ROWING AUSTRALIA COACH NOMINATIONS

Nominations for coaching positions on the 2024 Australian U19 & U21 Teams have now opened and can be completed via the link below.

If you would like to be considered for a coaching position on the 2024 Australian U23 and also the 2024 Australia A Team you need to email an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Jason Lane (jlane@rowingaustralia.com.au).

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.

WEBINAR - A LONG LIFE IN SPORT

The irrepressible nonagenarian Dr Allan Coles will be discussing his lifetime in sport. This covers chairing the Committee that wrote the Australian Sports Institute Study Report that led to the creation of the AIS, being the first head of UQ’s Department of Human Movement Studies and, to breaking world records on the indoor rowing machine. A quite remarkable man!

The webinar will be on Monday 11th December via Microsoft Teams.

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.

CLUBMAP WEBINAR

CLUBMAP will be hosting another webinar on Monday Decmber 11th - LEADERSHIP & CULTURE: DRIVING SUCCESSFUL CLUBS

Great club culture is vital for a strong community and member retention. It helps clubs set standards and drive for success, and is often driven by great leadership.

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.