WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Last weekend we saw the successful return of the Dimboola Regatta and Head of the Wimmera. Well done to the Dimboola Rowing Club on their efforts, it was great to see lots of smiling faces across the weekend!

Moving forward we have massive weekend ahead, with the return of racing on the Yarra River! Almost 2300 athletes will be battling it out in the Melbourne Head, whilst 500 schoolgirls continue to gain experience rowing on the Barwon.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING EVENTS

Head of the Yarra - Saturday 25th November

ACCESS NOTICE

Reminder for all Boathouse Drive clubs and schools to remove thier boat trailers from Boathouse Drive from 4:00pm Thursday 23rd November.

A friendly reminder that parking behind the clubs on Boathouse Drive will be required for trailers, could all members and coaches please clear their cars by 8:00am Friday 24th November.

Melbourne Head - Saturday 18th November

VALUED VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The first Melbourne Regatta for the new Season, and we would value and welcome ALL Volunteers for this Premier Head Race of Australia, please!

Timers, Staging Marshalls, Bow Numbers Distribution, Pre-Start Marshalls, Equipment Setup, Boat Trailer & Pedestrian Controllers, Deliveries on Bikes along rowing course, and more.

Please advise your availability by completing details in this new FORM.

Please contact Maurie Fanning with any questions on mfanning@bigpond.net.au or 0414926142.

UPCOMING CLUB OPEN DAYS

GEELONG

TONIGHT | 5pm - 7pm

Barwon Rowing Club and Corio Bay Rowing Club invite you to explore the rowing opportunities available in Geelong.

Have you rowed when you were younger and would like to return to rowing? Come along and enjoy taking a tour of the facilities, speaking with club members about rowing opportunities, row on the Barwon*, and seeing what rowing in Geelong has to offer.

SPACE FOR HIRE - ROWING BOAT SHED

Melbourne Girls’ College (MGC) is inviting expressions of interest from schools looking for a safe and modern facility to support their rowing program. Part of the MGC rowing space (storage bay can hold up to 20 quads or 10 eights) is available for hire in March 2024, on negotiable terms.

If you are thinking of relocating your facilities or expanding your school rowing program with a new training base, please contact them today on nancy.sandilands@mgc.vic.edu.au to register your interest for a site visit on 24 November or 1 December 2023.

NOMINATIONS - STATE TEAM SELECTORS

Rowing Victoria is calling for nominations to assist in the selection of the 2024 State Masters team.

We are seeking to fill two selector positions, with the nomination link below.

For more information please contact Adam Harrison at adam@rowingvictoria.asn.au.

INFLATABLE REGATTA

Saturday 9 December 2023

Gather your crew and rediscover Melbourne from a unique angle.

You’ll be floating the day away down the iconic Yarra River in your very own inflatable boat.

Taking in the unsung beauty of the Yarra River and featuring amazing views of the CBD skyline, this 2km lazy voyage disembarks at the Inflatable Regatta Festival, full of live music, food trucks, entertainment, drinks and more.

It’s a ‘hull’ of a time!

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 November 20th - UNLOCK THE POWER OF SPONSORSHIP

Learn about our proven, new-age methods of generating sponsorship revenue, and providing real value for your partners. Community sport often relies on favours from contacts for sponsorship. Simplify it, and offer real value.

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.