WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We brought the Rowing Victoria season to a close last weekend, with two glorious days for racing at the RV Masters State Championships in Nagambie.

Well done to all competitors, on the weekend, and across the whole season. We thank you all for your enthusiasm and sportsmanship, and look foward to starting it all again in a few months time.

That being said, we will see racing return to the Yarra River this weekend, with Melbourne University students competing in the Intercollegiate Regatta!

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

BOATHOUSE DRIVE CLOSURE - MAY 10 & 11

Please be advised that Boathouse Drive will be closed this weekend for the University of Melbourne Intercollegiate Regatta (Saturday) and the Mother's Day Classic (Sunday).

RV MASTERS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

More than 370 athletes embraced fantastic conditions in Nagambie last weekend, with competitive racing across Saturday and Sunday.

Strong performances from Melbourne RC crews helped them secure 1st place in the overall medal tally, followed by Yarra Yarra RC, & Corio Bay RC.

A special mention also to Gregor O'Nians (Melbourne RC), Geraldine Goss (Richmond RC), and Nick Inglis (Yarra Yarra RC) for taking home 8 Gold medals each!

Many of our Masters athletes will now shift their focus to the Australian Masters Rowing Championships at the SIRC from May 29 - June 1.

Images: Clubs

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - RV COMMISSIONS

Rowing Victoria is now seeking Expressions of Interest for the 2025/26 Competition Commission & Umpires' Commission.

If you are interested in being a member of either Commission, and are committed to being an active participant and contributor, please register via the link below.

More information regarding the responsibilities of the commissions can be found on the nomination pages.

OTRC TEAM - NOMINATIONS OPEN

Rowing Victoria is seeking athlete, coach, and selector nominations for selection in the Oceanic U22 Teams Rowing Championships (OTRC) Team.

The team will compete at West Lakes, SA, from Thu 24 July – Sun 27 July.

To be eligible athletes will be 18-21 years of age on 31 December 2025. Exceptions to this age group may apply to para-rowers. Athletes selected in an U23 or Senior A Australian Team in 2025 are not eligible.

28 athletes and 4 coaches will be selected.

Please see nomination pages below for more information.

UPCOMING SPORT WEBINARS

Online safety for sporting clubs

A one-hour webinar for community sport club leaders covering types of online harm, how to deal with issues, safe online environments, common topics, and resources to help clubs.

Date: Wednesday 14 May 
Time: 1.30-2.30pm AEST 

Social media self-defence for elite and pathway athletes

A one-hour webinar for athletes and support staff covering types of online abuse, impacts, setting up social media accounts with safety in mind, how to deal with issues, and support resources (for 18 years and over).

Date: Thursday 22 May 
Time: 1-2 pm AEST

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.