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Rowing Victoria Enews 31st July 2020

The Salt Water Challenge

Dear rowing community,

As a result of the current social distancing measures in Melbourne, it is with great disappointment that we advise you we will not be running the annual Saltwater Challenge on the first Saturday in September this year. This decision has been a difficult one as we believe that the physical and mental health benefits of getting back in the boat are so important right now, however, (and we are sure you will all agree) the safety of this community is paramount.

We would like to assure you that our regatta committee is working closely with Rowing Victoria to explore all of our options including the possibility of a virtual quad regatta (at a later date) if restrictions are eased enough. We would love to be involved this season if we can and we will let you know if we find a way to make this possible.

Stay safe!

Saltwater challenge committee

on behalf of the Essendon Rowing Club.

Rowing Victoria's weekly featured athlete - James Tomkins

James Tomkins is the only person ever to be a world champion in every class of sweep boat having won gold in the Coxed and Coxless Pair, Coxed and Coxless Four and the Eight. He has won seven World Championships. Renowned for his superb technique, James is one of the best rowers Australia has ever produced and one of the greatest rowers in World Rowing. For more infomation regarding Tomkins Rowing achievements please click here.

Recently World Rowing caught up with him to find out what he is up to now. FISA released a detailed article interviewing Tomkins himself. He explains his life post Elite Rowing Career including Family, Work life and his current Aspirations. For access to the full Article please click here.

COVID-19 Update

Rowing Communities in Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire have unfortunately once again been hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions bringing a return to Stage 3, Stay at Home restrictions as of 11.59pm on Wednesday 8 July 2020. Rowing Victoria’s full statement can be found HERE

For all Rowing Communities outside of the restricted area the Rowing Victoria Guidelines published on the 22/6/20 still apply. These Guidelines can be found HERE

City of Melbourne Grants for connected communities

Now more than ever we need to support our diverse communities.

City of Melbourne is offering grants of up to $20,000 to schools and not-for-profit sports and community organisations to help you achieve your goals.

Applications close on Monday 17 August. Find out more.

Expanded Business Support Fund

With the return to stage 3 restrictions in parts of Victoria, the State Government has introduced additional business support that some Club's may be eligible for.

Clubs can apply if they:

are operating in a postcode that is affected by the return to Stage 3 restrictions (not necessarily their registered address); and
are an employing business; and
are currently registered to pay GST; and
have a payroll of less than $3 million per annum; and
hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at 16 March 2020 (date of the State of Emergency declaration); and
have been engaged in carrying out the operation of the business in Victoria on 16 March 2020.

Applications can be made via this link here.

Are your contact details up to date?

To ensure your club and members are not missing any important information you can check to see if your contact details are up to date on the Rowing Manager website https://www.rowingmanager.com/

Head of the Yarra Entries open now!

Be sure not to miss out on one of Australia’s Premier regattas by securing your entry in the 2020 Head of the Yarra!

Please note: Entries are risk free as any entries which need to be removed prior to the close of entries on the 16^th of October for any reason can do so without fee.

VPP Rowing Science

Introducing ‘VPP Rowing Science’ the Victorian Pathway Program Rowing Science web page is your new home for coaching and training resources. From time to time, we will post the latest tips, tricks and training tools from our Victorian and national high performance and pathway experts in the areas of rigging, technique, performance data and indoor rowing! Jump on and take a look at the current resources from our VIS Rowing Team in nutrition, physiology, Injury prevention and sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and performance and lifestyle!

Better yet, we want to hear from you! Follow the link and give us feedback on what sort of resources you would like to see more of!

Click Here to share with us your feedback!

Waterway Rules and Safety

As some rowing communities commence their return to the water it is crucial that all involved with rowing are familiar with their local water way rules, etiquette and water traffic maps and those new to rowing, coxing and coaching are appropriately educated on the matter before commencing.

A comprehensive list of Victorian waterway maps are available on the Rowing Victoria Website

Please remember:

Boat Lights
Coaches helmets when on bikes
Coaches bike lights when coaching in the dark
Megaphones are not permitted:
- Monday to Thursday before 7 am or after 10 pm.
- Friday before 7 am or after 11 pm.
- Saturday and public holidays before 9 am or after 11 pm.
- Sunday before 9 am or after 10 pm.

And most importantly remember to respect and look out for your fellow rowers.

Yarra River Dredging update:

Dredging work continues along the Yarra River with the Dredge currently being situated on the North side of the river between Punt Rd Bridge and Cremorne Rail Bridge.

The dredging area is considerable and will force rowers who are rowing downstream to cross onto the southern side of the river. When traveling in either direction please adhere to the following safety directions.

Proceed slowly and carefully whilst in the vicinity of the dredging works.
Be mindful of your surroundings by regularly looking behind you for buoys and other boats.

Incident Reports

Please help us to ensure that rowing in Victoria is a safe as possible. If you are involved or witness a rowing related incident please record it on the Rowing Victoria website.