WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We saw spectacular conditions on Lake Wendouree for the Ballarat Regatta last Saturday, with some competitive small boat racing! The sun continued into Sunday for a fun filled few hours at our Beach Sprint Regatta in Williamstown!

This weekend we're stationed down in Geelong for two huge days of racing at the Barwon Regatta! With more than 1900 club and school athletes entered, we look forward to seeing you all there.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

RV BEACH SPRINT SERIES

Williamstown Beach played host to the first beach sprint event for 2025 last Sunday, delivering a perfect sunny 31˚ day. Thirty people took advantage of the opportunity to try a fun new Olympic sport supported by four of our dedicated and enthusiastic umpires.

Beach sprints traditionally feature singles, doubles and coxed quad races. All athletes on Sunday were able to row in doubles, following a course where you navigate around buoys and sprint (hence the name) up the beach to final buzzer! Needless to say that navigation skills improved throughout the event as rowers gained experience.

A HUGE thank-you to Williamstown Life Saving Club. They patrolled the water to ensure rowers and the swimming public did not cross paths. Everyone stayed safe and enjoyed the beautiful summer weather, with smiles all round! A fantastic sport - we encourage rowers to look out for the next event and be part of the fun!

2025 STATE & NATIONAL TEAMS - NOMINATIONS

Victorian Pathway Team nomination dates are closing in!

Don't miss your chance to wear the Big White V and showcase your ability on the big stage! Nominate now and be part of the fun, with eights and coxless quad crews to be selected.

Please direct any questions regarding selection to Delwyn Oliver on delwyn@rowingvictoria.asn.au.

BALLARAT SMALL BOATS REGATTA - GALLERY

Images: Matt Ashley

UPCOMING EVENTS

REGIONAL ALL ABILITIES PARTICIPATION GRANTS

Regional All Abilities Participation Grants assist organisations to increase participation opportunities and address barriers to participation for people with disability in regional Victoria.

Grants will support organisations to:

• Purchase modified equipment, assistive technology, adaptive clothing, and environmental aids
• Recruit, mentor, employ, and retain a person with disability to a paid or voluntary position
• Employ a specialised workforce to support people with disability
• Reduce travel costs for active participants with disability
• Broaden the range of on-going, flexible, and place-based sport or active recreation programs; and
• Increase awareness, understanding, acceptance, community pride, and connection.

Key information:

• Grant amount: Up to $25,000 per category
• Applications Open: 6 November 2024
• Applications Close: TBC (Ongoing)

If you have resources that should be shared amongst the sporting community, please reach out directly to your City of Ballarat Club Liaison and Support Officer.

REMINDER: BOW & STERN LIGHTS

It is important that ALL rowers on ALL waterways (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 by LAW 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).

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.

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. Rules and maps for all waterways can be found on our Venues webpage. 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.