WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We're coming off an action packed weekend, with schools taking on the Barwon River at the Lauriston Regatta, whilst a range of clubs and schools were treated to more sunny conditons in Nagambie for the Foot of the Goulburn. As always, thank you to our amazing hosts and volunteers!

With a regatta free weekend, we cast our eyes to the Rower of the Year Awards, where we hope to see some Victorians recognised!

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

ROWING VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT

Thank you to those who attended and contributed to the Rowing Victoria Annual General Meeting last Sunday. Our 2023/24 Annual Report is now available to read online via the link below.

ROWER OF THE YEAR AWARDS - VICTORIAN FINALISTS

Rowing Victoria congratulates the following Clubs and Members for their selection as finalists, across various awards, at the 2024 ROTY Awards.

Program of the Year - Mercantile RC (Guerin Club Program)

Club of the Year - Wendouree Ballarat RC

Volunteer of the Year - Sue Andrews (Nagambie RC)

Umpire of the Year - Duncan MacKinnon (Mercantile RC)

Service to Rowing - Ainsley Raggatt (Banks RC)

Their efforts within our community are very much appreciated and we hope to see them presented with these awards! The winners will be announced at the awards evening tomorrow night in Surfers Paradise, Queensland.

VALE JAMES 'JIM SKIDDY' SKIDMORE

Jim passed away on Wednesday 30th October after a long battle with illness.

Jim’s contribution to the rowing community will be missed, a member of Yarra Yarra Rowing Club since 1956, committee member for 20 years, life member and Club Patron since 2015.

In addition, Jim was a Victorian Boat Race Official (BRO) for over 50 years, including time spent as a panel member. He was delegate to the Metropolitain Rowing Committee, Upper Yarra Regatta Committee and the Victorian Scullling Association, where he also served as Treasurer for over 20 years. He acted as Wentworth & District Rowing Clubs' delegate at VRA meetings, and also held positions on the Victorian Oarsmen and Women's Association (VOWA).

Jim was a quiet, unassuming man who loved his Wednesday row well into his later years. A row with his mates, then a beer afterwards discussing his favourite subject, Yarra Yarra Rowing Club, was his simple pleasure.

Our thoughts are with his wife Thea, daughters Margaret and Linda, and sons Kevin and Colin, and the whole family at this time.

Below: Jim pictured with daughter Linda in their beloved YYRC colours

THE AUSTRALIAN BOAT RACE

The 160 year old rivalry between Melbourne University and Sydney University continued on Sunday with their annual showdown in the Australian Boat Race.

Despite their best efforts to take on the Sydney waters, both Melbourne crews finished behind their rivals, with Sydney claiming both the Bella Guerin Trophy and Edmund Barton Trophy.

Well done to all involved, we look forward to seeing the race return to the Yarra River in 2025.

Images: Aus Boat Race / Melb Uni

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. 

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.

Information and discussion about the VIC Pathway Team and the opportunity for U19 Trial boats will also occur.

FOOT OF THE GOULBURN - GALLERY

AUSTRALIAN INDOOR ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Australian Indoor Rowing Championships were held last weekend, with this year’s event fully virtual.

This year we saw entries from Bairnsdale RC, Ballarat City RC, Hawthorn RC, Korowa AGS, Power House RC, Wendouree Ballarat RC, and Wentworth District RC.

A special shout out to the team in Wentworth, with 46 members participating! Offical results are still pending however unofficial results can accessed via the link below.

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

SIGNIFICANT SPORTING EVENTS PROGRAM

The Significant Sporting Events Program helps sporting, community and event organisations to deliver significant sporting events in Victoria.

Eligible events include those hosted by local sporting clubs that are regionally specific and recognised by a relevant sporting body.

Round 2 is now open, with applications closing October 31st.

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.