WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Plenty of action over the weekend, as rowers braved the heat at the MRA Rutherglen Regatta! Thank you to local club volunteers and our team of umpires for all their contributions.

This weekend we head to Lake Wendouree for the Ballarat Regatta, with record entries it is shaping up to be a fantastic day on the water! Be sure to tune into the action in Ballarat or via the provided live stream.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING REGATTAS

COASTAL COME & TRY

The Royal Geelong Yacht Club and Sykes Rowing will be hosting a series of Coastal Rowing “Come and Try” days in January. This is an ideal opportunity to showcase the new form of our sport in an ideal location. These “Come and Try” days are scheduled to coincide with the annual Festival of Sails, the Cadel Evans Road Race and some Beach Volleyball.

DETAILS
Dates: Thursday 26th January (Australia Day) and Friday 27th January 2023
Times: 8 am to 2pm
Venue: Eastern Beach Geelong adjacent to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club and basically under the Ferris Wheel
Entry/Seat fees: Free – no need to register

This will take place on the 2 days before the Barwon Regatta. Schools and clubs planning to compete at the Barwon Regatta should perhaps consider making a long weekend of it down in Geelong or on the Bellarine Peninsula – or bring a friend because this is open to everyone including non-rowers. Safety equipment and support craft will be at the event too.

See you at the Sykes tent on the beach - there will be Solo and Double Scull Coastal boats and Concept 2 oars available for everyone and lots of entertainment, food and refreshments in the precinct.

Contact Mark (0439 966 044), George (0413 077 041), Alex (0421 811 880) or Norm (0434 670 372).

NESTLES ROWING CLUB

On Monday 16th January, State Development & Pathway Coordinator, Delwyn, paid a visit to Nestles Rowing Club in Warrnambool.

The club were welcoming and the weather was fantastic, with the club starting their regular training at 5:30pm.

Tom Bertrand showed Delwyn around the club and described the club’s inclusive rowing culture, including an outline of their para-rowing program and rowers that have rowed with the club.

Val Bertrand was coaching Hunter rowing a single scull (right) while others went out in a crew boats. On Monday night two visually impaired rowers; Hunter and Rosie, were training alongside other club members. Nestles has developed a warm and welcoming club where all members have the opportunity to be their best, and are encouraged to row for life. Delwyn thoroughly enjoyed her visit and Rowing Victoria look forward to seeing Nestles rowers at upcoming regattas!

MRA RUTHERGLEN REGATTA - GALLERY

RV CODE OF CONDUCT

As we approach the exciting and busy second part of the season, it’s worth reiterating our expectations of participating in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. The Rowing Victoria Code of Conduct has been recently updated and is underpinned by the following core values:

• To act within the rules and spirit of our sport.
• To display respect and courtesy towards everyone involved in our sport and prevent discrimination and harassment.
• To prioritise the safety and well-being of children and young people involved in our sport.
• To encourage and support opportunities for participation in all aspects of our sport.

Rowing Victoria encourages you to review this document and ensure you are behaving appropriately.

We look forward to enjoying the next few months.

SRV SPORTING CLUB GRANTS PROGRAM

The Sporting Club Grants Program provides funding for grassroots sport and active recreation organisations across Victoria. Access to this funding helps clubs and organisations address barriers in participation, develop safe and sustainable practices, and build social and active local communities.

This program assists organisations to purchase sports uniforms and participation equipment, increase the skills of coaches, officials, volunteers and management committees, and supports improvements to club capacity and accessibility.

It is fantastic to see that 11 of our clubs have been successful in receiving this funding across the last 2 years.

Round 2 applications open in February 2023, however we encourage clubs to consider and prepare an application in advance. For those who are unsure where to begin, Club Builder offer services to assist in preparing an application. You can contact them or read more about the grant requirements via the links below.

LOCAL SPORTING CHAMPIONS

ARE YOU:

1. Aged between 12-18 or 12-24 (Para)?

2. Coaching, officiating, or competing at the State Championships or ARC this season?

If the answer is YES, then you may be eligible for a grant from $500-$1,000 towards the cost of attending!

RIVER SAFETY - BOW & STERN LIGHTS

It is crucial that all rowers who are on the water (and coaches on bikes and powerboats) between sunset and sunrise all 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 safely and appropriately.

The police have 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 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.