WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Last weekend clubs ventured to Wentworth for the Flying Doctor Rowathon, which was once again a fantastic day! Crews are now well underway in their preparations for upcoming head races, with entries now open for all October regattas.

Tomorrow night we look forward to celebrating the 2023/24 season and the efforts of our members at the Rowing Victoria & Hall of Fame Gala Awards!

 More exciting news and event information available below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING EVENTS

FLYING DOCTOR ROWATHON

The 31st Flying Doctor Rowathon was held last Saturday on the Darling and Murray Rivers, hosted by the Wentworth District Rowing Club.

Approximately $19,500 has been raised, which will go straight into the outback communities through Rural Women’s GP Service, Flying Doctor Wellbeing, and Flying Doctor Speech Therapy.

Well done to all crews who tackled the 75km course and supported a great cause! Shout out to the Y Rowing Club who received the Jack Joel Trophy as the crew raising the most funds, raising just short of $5,000.

If you'd like to support the cause, you can still donate via the link below!

Y Rowing team members with the RFDS Jack Joel Trophy

BOATHOUSE DRIVE OPEN DAY

SUNDAY 6TH OCTOBER | 9:00AM -11:30AM

Are you a past rower looking to return to rowing, or a school leaver looking to continue rowing? Perhaps you're looking to join an elite program, or a recreational club? If so, this event is for you!

The rowing clubs located on Boathouse Drive are opening their doors and welcoming you into their rowing clubs on Sunday the 6th of October, from 9-11:30am. The amazing facilities and wonderful club members will ensure your time on Boathouse Drive shows you the many opportunities available to you in rowing.

Participating clubs include Melbourne University, Yarra Yarra, Banks, Mercantile, Melbourne, and Richmond. Register for the Open Day below for the chance to row on the Yarra with one of these clubs. Come along and be part of the action!

 INCLUSIVE CLUB FORUM

SUNDAY 20TH OCTOBER | 1-3PM | RV OFFICE (ALBERT PARK) / ONLINE

Rowing Clubs are fantastic places to make connections, exercise, socialise and participate in rowing whether that be recreationally or competitively. The rowing community is made up of a diverse group of people.

Approximately 1 in 5 people live with disability. There is room to become increasingly inclusive and enable more people to be part of our clubs.

The workshop will provide the space to:

• Engage with rowers with disability who have had the opportunity to learn to row in a supported environment.
• Learn how small changes can make a big difference to accessibility and safety for all.
• Form connections between clubs.
• Ask questions and discuss a pathway forward for your club.

SPORT AUS HOF - SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Congratulations to Sarah Marriott who has been named as a recipient of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring Program!

As a Tier 2 Scholarship Holder she will receive assistance in covering her sporting expenses, plus ongoing support from SAHOF and its esteemed Member base over the next 16 months.

In recent years, Sarah has made a number of appearances at international level, including World Rowing Cup I, World Rowing U23 Championships, and the Head of Shanghai River Regatta.

Sarah has recently began her studies at Stanford University in the U.S and has her sights firmly set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

ROWING AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES NEW HEAD COACHES

Rowing Australia  has announced the appointments of James Harris and Chris O'Brien as Head Coaches of its National Training Centres as the duo prepare to lead the Rowsellas into a new era of training and racing during the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic cycle.

O'Brien will take charge of the men’s squad at the Reinhold Batschi National Training Centre in Canberra, while Harris will lead the women’s program at the Hancock Prospecting National Training Centre in Penrith.

VALE BRIAN JOHN RICHARDSON OAM ASM

Rowing Victoria are saddened to announce the passing of Brian John Richardson OAM ASM on Sunday 15 September 2024.

Brian was a highly respected and long serving athlete, an exceptional coach who successfully coached elite rowers throughout the world whilst equally being able to develop young rowers in both club and school areas.

His extensive rowing career included winning the King's Cup (VIC) in 1979 and rowing for Australia in the Men’s 8+ in the 1976 & 1980 Olympic Games.

Just as he touched many peoples' lives, he said they equally enriched his life. Gone much too soon. Sincere condolesences to Brian's family and friends.

COACHES - WWCC INFORMATION

A friendly reminder to all accredited coaches that Rowing Australia require your Working with Child Check (WWCC) information. You can log-in and upload your details via the Rowing Australia Coaching Portal.

If you have any questions or encounter any issues, please contact 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.

Eligible events include those hosted by local sporting clubs that are regionally specific and recognised by a relevant sporting body.

Round 2 is now open, with applications closing October 31st.

BIKE LIGHTS

In addition to safely lighting our boats, it is important that coaches are also meeting requirements off the water. By law, 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.

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.