WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We experienced some warm conditions at the MRA Rutherglen Regatta over the weekend, with two days of great racing and energy from all participants. Well done and thank you to the MRA, our local clubs, and all our volunteers for all their hard work!

This Saturday we head to Lake Wendouree for the first time this season, with clubs and school racing in the Ballarat Regatta. With beautiful conditions forecast, we look forward to seeing you there!

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING EVENTS

BARWON REGATTA

Trophies are on offer at the Barwon Regatta next weekend, the 27th and 28th January 2024!

Perpetual trophies for 19 events are on offer at this year’s regatta, including the Male and Female School Division 1 Eights and Male and Female Under 19 Eights! Full list of the 19 events can be found in the information bulletin attached to the regatta listing on the regatta calendar.

In addition, a Champion Club annual trophy will be presented to the club with the most A final wins on the Sunday of racing, in Grade, Club, Masters and Underage events. This trophy will be a great addition to the Champion Club’s trophy cabinet. Minimum entries of 16 seats.

The Barwon River is set for another great weekend of racing!

2024 MASTERS STATE TEAM - NOMINATIONS

A friendly reminder that the selection policies and nomination form for the 2024 Masters State Team are now live on the Rowing Victoria website and available below.

Male and Female Eights and Quads are to be selected to compete at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships at Lake Barrington, Tasmania, from 8-11 May.

Nominations close February 2nd (Athletes & Coaches).

Please direct any questions regarding selection to Delwyn Oliver on delwyn@rowingvictoria.asn.au.

MRA RUTHERGLEN REGATTA  - GALLERY

Images: 'Boathouse Drive'

ARC ENTRIES OPEN

Entries to the Australian Rowing Championships are now open!

This years ARC will be held from 18 March – 24 March 2024 at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, NSW.

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 29 February 2024.

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.