WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

In this week's E-News, check out the results of Victorian athletes and crews who featured in international events this week, read about the Australian Rowing Team's new name-brand launch just in time for the Olympics, and we farewell a northern Victorian rowing club which has shelved its oars for the last time.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

        UPCOMING EVENTS

2024 Flying Doctor Rowathon

The 31st Flying Doctor Rowathon will be hosted by Wentworth District Rowing Club on Saturday, September 14, 2024, in Wentworth, NSW.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has been saving lives and assisting people in the outback and remote communities for 95 years. The annual rowathon helps raise money which goes to supporting the wonderful work and service that the RFDS supply.

This year's Rowathon will be approximately 75km and will be broken into three legs of 25km each. 

Entries are now open via the link below until Sunday, 25 August.

FAREWELL YARRAWONGA ROWING CLUB

After introducing hundreds of locals into the sport of rowing, hosting many regattas, and even producing state champions, the 110-year-old Yarrawonga Rowing Club has taken its last stroke and shelved its oars for the last time.

Yarrawonga RC has a long history and has survived flood, fires, world wars and pandemics. Despite the closure being a sad time for the club's few remaining members and past members, other rowing clubs in the region have benefited from donations of the club's shells and oars.
"It has been a very difficult decision to make, considering the history of rowing in Yarrawonga" - Deidre Poll, long-time club secretary.

We would like to thank Yarrawonga Rowing Club for their contribution to the Rowing Victoria community over the years!

HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA

The Henley Royal Regatta action wrapped up on Sunday after a busy week of racing and the results are in!

Mercantile's M4+ crew lost the semi-final by 1 length to Thames Rowing Club who won The Britannia Challenge Cup.

Rowing Australia's W2- crew lost in the semi-final to Club France who won The Hambleden Pairs Challenge Cup.

FISU WORLD UNI CHAMPIONSHIPS

The FISU World University Championship Rowing in Rotterdam, Netherlands has concluded.
Athletes represented their country in pursuit of glory, facing off against other top student rowers from around the globe.

Congratulations to Zara Lavery (MUBC) and Anna Morrison (Mercantile) who competed in the Women's Four, with Zoe McKellar and Olivia Nattey (NSW).
The crew missed out on the A Final by just one place! They then went on to win the B Final, placing them 7th overall in the Women's 4- event.

ROWING AUSTRALIA - INTRODUCING THE 'ROWSELLAS'

One of Australia’s most successful teams is ready to soar at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games with a brand new name, logo and identity. Introducing: the Rowsellas.

Australian rowing has never had a team name at any stage of its decorated history on the international stage, which dates back to the late 1800s. Now the 37-strong Olympic Team and eight-strong Paralympic Team will be the first athletes to race under the Rowsellas banner after the name was officially launched on Tuesday.

2 WEEKS TO GO

With two weeks remaining before our Aussies begin their Olympic rowing campaign, we take a look back at the Victorians who have previously succeeded in the 2- and 2x on the world's biggest stage.

Do you remember these races?

LOCAL SPORTING CHAMPIONS

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships.

If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 (see eligibility) towards the cost of attending their championships. Applications can be made for eligible competitions held between 1 March 2024 and 30 November 2024, including State and National Championships.

Round 1 is now open and closes July 31st.

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.