WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We saw fabulous rowing conditions in Geelong last week as our Masters athletes competed at the Corio Bay Masters Regatta, and participated in the 150 year celebrations of the Corio Bay RC. This week, we will be heading to Lake Wendouree for our final Masters racing prior to the RV Masters State Championship in Nagambie.

Our Pathway 8+ crews have been busy competing in Sydney, and some Aussie crews have been preparing for their departure overseas! 

Read more below! 

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING REGATTAS

INTERSTATE PATHWAY 8+ REGATTA

Over the last two days, our Victorian Pathway 8+ crews have been competing at the Interstate Pathway 8+ Regatta at the Sydney International Regatta Centre. Both crews performed well in their initial heats yesterday, and raced in the A Finals this morning!

A massive congratulations to all athletes on their performances, with our Women’s crew claiming the Gold, and our Men narrowly missing the podium in 4th place! A special mention to our amazing reserves Samantha and Hunter who raced in crews with athletes from other states.

As part of the experience, National Team athletes Hayley Verbunt, Sarah Hawe and Lucy Stephan, showed the crews around the Women's National Training Centre, answering questions and explaining their daily routine. Our young athletes were able to get a fantastic snapshot of what is involved in being a high performance rower.

We are very excited to see what the future holds for these promising young rowers, and hope to see them in the Big White V into the future!

The Rowing Australia U19 selection trials have been running alongside the regatta and we look forward to hopefully seeing some Victorians selected when the team is announced next week.

Women's Pathway 8+

Men's Pathway 8+

Crews visiting the Women's NTC

WINDERMERE CUP CREWS READY TO DEPART

The Australian Windermere Cup crews, including a range of Victorian athletes, have been training in Melbourne prior to their US departure.

We wish the crews safe travels and look forward to cheering them on at the Windermere Cup next Saturday the 6th of May.

GIPPSLAND LAKES PADDLE CHALLENGE - SAT MAY 6

For those not competing at the Victorian Masters Rowing Championships, and wishing to experience Coastal Rowing, the Gippsland Lakes Paddle Challenge is a great option.

The Paddle Challenge is now Victoria's largest recreational multi craft paddle event and is open to Coastal Rowing Boats. For more information containing course maps, entry information and prizes go to their website.

Sykes will have on display and for trialling Solos and Doubles.

MERCANTILE WINTER PROGRAM

High-performing school rowers and coxswains in Year 12 and Year 10 & 11 are invited to sign up to the Mercantile Winter Program.

The program is aimed at athletes that want to put themselves in the best position to achieve their goals in the 2023-24 season by improving their sweep/sculling skills and developing their fitness.

The above squads will train separately.

Registration is required by Monday 1 May 2023.

GET ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHER PROGRAM

We would like to remind you of these important dates for Round 6 of the program:

21 February to 10 May 2023: Round open for parents, carers or guardians to apply for a Voucher or Reimbursement

28 November 2022 to 10 May 2023: Period families can seek a reimbursement for eligible expenditure

21 May 2023: Last day for vouchers to be presented to activity providers

21 February 2023 to 7 June 2023: Portal open for providers to redeem vouchers.

You have until 5pm Wednesday, 10 May 2023 to apply for a voucher on the Get Active Kids website.

Children residing in Victoria, aged 0–18, and named on a valid Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, are eligible to receive up to $200 towards their sport or recreation activities. There is also special consideration given to families with a child in out-of-home care or where the child/family is a temporary or provisional visa holder, undocumented migrant or international student.

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.