WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

There's just one more sleep until we cheer on our Aussie rowers at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games - including 17 Victorians! Find out when our athletes are racing and how to watch them in the Olympic Preview down below. 

There are some great events happening in the rowing community over the next few weeks. Event information and registration links are all included in this week's newsletter. There's also opportunities to nominate someone for an award at the upcoming Rowing Victoria Annual Awards, or to apply for a RV Board Director Role. 

Please also take caution when rowing on the Yarra as there will be a new barge hazard at the downstream end of Henley Landing until the 16th of August, 2024.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

OLYMPICS PREVIEW

Racing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will commence on Saturday the 27th of August! There are so many exciting races taking place over the next few days that you won't want to miss - many of which include our 17 Victorian Olympians. See the racing schedule below and keep an eye on our socials for daily updates and Paralympics race scheduling! 

The Olympics will be broadcasted live on the Nine Network, 9NOW, and Stan Sport. Go Australia!

REMINDER: RV ANNUAL AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW

Do you believe someone at your rowing club deserves some praise and recognition?

Nominations for the Rowing Victoria annual awards will close at 5 pm, Friday 16 August 2024.

Click below to find out more information about the awards open for nomination.

        UPCOMING EVENTS

GOTCHA4LIFE 24 HOUR ROW

This is an opportunity for your club, school or workplace to join Australia’s biggest fundraising rowing event. Get organised and ready to row for 24 hours over the 7-8th of September 2024! 

Every dollar raised fuels mental fitness workshops and resources. Click the link below for more information about registering for this great cause. 

ADAPTIVE ROWING - CONNECTIONS

Do you coach, or are you, an adaptive rower?

There is a community out there where people have amazing experiences, and it's time to make connections!

This session is for current coaches and athletes who are in the adaptive/para rowing space. The event will enable connections to be made to foster the sharing of information about training, racing, equipment and all things rowing.

WHEN: Sunday 18^th August 2024 from 1:30-3:30pm

WHERE: RV office, 31-33 Aughtie Dr, Albert Park 3206

2024 Flying Doctor Rowathon

The 31st Flying Doctor Rowathon is fast approaching and will be hosted by Wentworth District Rowing Club on Saturday, September 14. The Rowathon will be approximately 75km, broken into three 25km legs.

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.

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

CAUTION: NEW HAZARD AT HENLEY LANDING

Rowers are advised to take extra caution when rowing on the Yarra as there is a new barge blocking Henley Landing (downstream end). There is an exclusion zone in place and infrastructure extending 16 metres into the river. Signage and buoyage are in place to mark the area.

Please be aware of other rowers who may be rowing past the barge and ensure your boats have appropriate lighting when training early morning. The barge will remain until the 16th of August, 2024.

Photos of the new barge and its position on the Yarra are below. 

APPLY TO BE A RV BOARD DIRECTOR!

Rowing Victoria is seeking to appoint a Board Director, and there's not long left to apply!

The Rowing Victoria Board is made up of six Directors, elected by members at the AGM. The board meets 11 times annually on the 3rd Thursday of each month. 

Rowing Victoria is seeking to appoint a Director with a combination of attributes and specific experience in school rowing and/or elite rowing. This is a voluntary position. 

Applications are available below, closing on Friday the 2nd of August. 

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.