WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

After a weekend off, we hope to see crews fresh and firing at the Dimboola Regatta & Head of the Wimmera!

Off the water, we've seen Victorians recognised at the ROTY awards, and look forward to a number of upcoming information sessions.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

VICTORIAN COASTAL ROWING SERIES CONFIRMED

We are very excited to announce that the following dates have been confirmed for the Victorian Coastal Rowing (Beach Sprints) Series:

Sun 15th December 2024 - Williamstown Beach

Sun 19th January 2025 - Williamstown Beach

All abilities are welcome, with no entry fee, we hope to see you there!

See our Regatta Calendar for more information in the coming weeks.

ROWER OF THE YEAR AWARDS - VICTORIANS RECOGNISED

Rowing Victoria congratulates the following members for their recognition at the 2024 Rowing Australia ROTY Awards last weekend.

⭐️ Rowing Leadership Award  ⭐️ Female Crew of the Year
Jessica Morrison OAM OLY
w/ Annabelle McIntyre OAM OLY

Securing Olympic Bronze in Paris, plus Gold at World Rowing Cup III, their resilience, drive, and leadership both on and off the water have left a lasting legacy.

⭐️ Volunteer of the Year
Sue Andrews

Recognised for her tireless dedication to rowing, from Nagambie RC to Rowing Victoria, Sue’s leadership and passion have been invaluable.

⭐️ Program of the Year
Mercantile RC - Guerin Club

Providing a space for younger rowers to stay engaged, this initiative has a created a welcoming and inclusive community, with regular attendance at Victorian regattas.

Well done to all award recipients and finalists!

Victorian attendees at the awards evening on the Gold Coast

Image: Rowing Australia

RV LIFE MEMBERSHIP - DAVID YATES

We are very pleased to announce that David Yates has been awarded Life Membership of Rowing Victoria. This award is granted in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding service to the sport of rowing.

David has made a significant impact on the sport through his long and distinguished service as a coach and selector.

His contributions have been characterised by innovation, rigour, and a commitment to the systematic development of athletes and crews.

Congratulations David! ⭐️

Read more about David’s achievements: 

David coaching at the 1988 Olympic Games

Image: Australian Rowing Images

AUSTRALIAN INDOOR ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Australian Indoor Rowing Championships results are now official, with Victorians taking home a number of 'virtual' medals. Well done to all competitors!

Bairnsdale RC - 1🥈

Ballarat City RC - 1🥇1🥈 1🥉

Hawthorn RC - 2 🥇

Korowa AGS - 1🥇

Power House RC - 7🥇

Wendouree Ballarat RC - 1🥇

Wentworth District RC - 8🥇 5🥈 5🥉 

DIRECTORS OF ROWING & HEAD COACHES PRESENTATION

Directors/Heads of Rowing and Senior Coaches are invited to attend a presentation featuring:

John Bowes - Rowing Australia Pathways Transition Manager
John understands and manages the contact and tracking of Australian rowers in the US College system.

+ hear from Australian representatives about their rowing journeys from school to now:

Susannah Lutze - 2024 Paralympian
A Carey Grammarian (2022) who was a member of the 2024 AUS PR3 Mix 4+ and rowed at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Dom Frederico & Austin Reinehr - U23 Australian Team
Silver medalists in the 2024 AUS U23 M2x and U23 M4-, respectively.

Information and discussion will be provided about the VIC Pathway Team (U18) and U19 Trial Boats, with insights given into the challenges and rewards of each of these pathways for coaches and athletes.

2025 NATIONAL TEAM - SELECTION REQUIRMENTS

A reminder that selection requirements for the following 2025 National Teams are available on the Rowing Australia website:

Senior and Para Team (nominations closed)

Under 23 Team (EOI open now, close 2 Dec 2024)

Under 19 Team & World Uni Games

(nominations open on 2 Dec 2024 and close 31 Jan 2025)

SERVICE DETAILS - JAMES 'JIM SKIDDY' SKIDMORE

A service to Honour & Celebrate the Life of James "Jim Skiddy" Skidmore will be held in the Gateway Funerals Chapel, 253 Wells Rd, Chelsea Heights on Monday 11th November 2024, commencing at 2pm.
 
For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available.

VALUED VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – MELBOURNE HEAD

Saturday 16th November

The first Melbourne Regatta for the new season, and we would value and welcome ALL Volunteers for this Premier Head Race of Australia, please!

Timers, Staging Marshalls, Bow Numbers Distribution, Motor-boat Drivers, Pre-Start Marshalls, Equipment Setup, Boat Trailer & Pedestrian Controllers, Presentations, Deliveries on Bikes along rowing course, and more.

Friday tasks for Volunteers are available too!

Please advise your availability and any questions, by contacting Maurie Fanning on mfanning@bigpond.net.au or 0414 926 142.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ESAFETY WEBINAR

Learn more about how to stay safer online in sport by registering for two new webinars, hosted by the Australian Government eSafety Commissioner.

1. Online safety for sporting clubs

Learn about types of online harm in sport, dealing with online abuse, tips for safe online environments, and advice on common online issues in sport. Suitable for community sport leaders and volunteers.

Date: Monday 18 November 
Time: 12.30-1.30pm

2 .Social media self-defence for athletes

Learn practical strategies on how to set up social media accounts with safety in mind, understand types of online abuse, and how to deal with issues. Suitable for elite, state, national and pathway athletes over 18 years of age. 

Date: Wednesday 27 November 
Time: 12-1pm

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. 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.