WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

The Rowsella's Paris Olympic campaign has officially drawn to a close with racing concluding last Saturday. Find out how our 17 Victorians went in this week's E-News! 

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There are upcoming scheduled works on the Yarra at Morell Bridge (August 19 - September 15) and Henley Landing (until August 16). Rowers are advised to take extra caution when training on the river in these areas. Read more about the restricted areas below in the 'reminders' section. 

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

PARIS OLYMPICS 2024 RECAP

The Rowsellas' Paris 2024 Olympic campaign wrapped up last Saturday with some phenomenal racing across the board. It was fantastic to see so many Australian crews making their mark in both A and B finals and we particularly applaud the 17 Victorian athletes who represented the Green and Gold, showcasing exceptional skill and determination and making the nation proud. Watch the Rowsella's Olympic highlights below!

Its been a pleasure following the Rowsellas' journey over the past few years leading up to the Olympics and their achievements in Paris have been a testament to their hard work and perseverance. Now it's time to celebrate the Olympic season that has been and look forward to what's to come as we set our sights on LA2028! 

(photo credit: Rowing Australia, World Rowing Official)

We now look forward to cheering on our Victorian Paralympians, Susannah Lutze and Al Viney, representing Australia at the Paralympics in just 21 days! See the Paralympics race schedule down below.

NOMINATE NOW FOR THE RV ANNUAL AWARDS

Nominations for the Rowing Victoria Annual Awards are open now! There's still a week left to nominate someone at your club for an award to be presented at the 2024 Rowing Victoria & Hall of Fame Gala Awards.

Nominations will be closing at 5pm, Friday August 16th.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CLOSING SOON: ADAPTIVE ROWING - CONNECTIONS

Registrations for the Adaptive Rowing - Connections session will be closing soon. Designed for current coaches and athletes within the adaptive/para rowing community, this session will foster the sharing of information about training, racing, and equipment between members. 

The session will be held on Sunday the 18th of August at 1:30pm at Albert Park. Register below!

GOTCHA4LIFE 24 HOUR ROW: REGISTRATIONS OPEN!

Join Australia's biggest fundraising rowing event - the 24 Hour Row! Held on the 7-8th September 2024, this event aims to bring people and communities together to connect, have fun, and work on their physical and mental fitness. All funds raised will help deliver mental fitness programs to schools, sporting clubs, and communities nationwide. 

2024 FLYING DOCTOR ROWATHON

Hosted by Wentworth District Rowing Club, the 31st Flying Doctor Rowathon will be heldon Saturday, September 14. By participating, you'll be raising funds that go towards supporting the work and services that the Flying Doctors supply. 

Secure your entry via the link below - entries will be closing on Sunday the 25th of August. 

YARRA RIVER NAVIGATION GUIDE

Clubs and schools are reminded navigational lights are mandatory across all Victorian waterways from dusk (5.00pm) to dawn (7.15am).

For Yarra River waterway users, CLICK HERE for the Yarra River navigational guide to assist with navigating safe travelling up and downstream

For the safety of all waterway users, please pass this important safety notice to all members, coaches, and staff within your organisation.

MORELL BRIDGE WORKS

Rowers are advised to take care when training on the Yarra as there will be works at Morell Bridge from August 19 - September 15 2024.

Stage 1 of the repairs will take place from August 19 - September 2, with the northern section of Morell Bridge being prohibited. The exclusion zone will extend approximately 30m on either side of the bridge and approximately 23m into the river, as marked by buoys. The southern span and approximately 20m of the central span remain open for transit. 

HENLEY LANDING HAZARD UNTIL 16/08/2024

A reminder to continue to take caution when rowing on the Yarra and avoid the barge blocking Henley Landing (downstream end). The exclusion zone will remain in place until the 16th of August, 2024. Signage and buoyage are marking the area.

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.