WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

It was a brilliant weekend of racing, with perfect conditions in Melbourne for the Head of the Yarra, and strong school racing in both Nagambie and Geelong.

This week, clubs enjoy the weekend off whilst school competition ramps up again, with our schoolgirls racing on the Barwon and our schoolboys heading down to Carrum.

Read more below.

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

PERFECT CONDITIONS AT THE HEAD OF THE YARRA

Last Saturday, Melbourne’s Yarra River hosted the iconic Head of the Yarra, with 240 eights and more than 2,200 athletes from across Australia and New Zealand taking on the gruelling 8km course.

The field featured Olympic and international athletes, Defence Force crews, and strong school to masters representation, all enjoying ideal conditions as they raced from Boathouse Drive through Melbourne’s sporting precinct and past Herring Island.

Head of the Yarra, and the fastest crew on the day, was the Sydney Men’s Eight stroked by A Nichol, rowing the course in a time of 24 min, 57 seconds, just 0.47 seconds ahead of Melbourne University, with Mercantile third in 25:26.

In the elite Women’s Eights, Melbourne University, stroked by Zara Lavery, took the honours in 28 minutes 47 seconds, followed by Sydney and UTS.

Amongst the Masters, the Mercantile/Banks Men’s F Grade were clear winners in 30:42:85, with their star-studded crew including James Tomkins, Drew Ginn, and stroke David Crayshaw.

Champion cox, steering the nominal 8km course in a corner-cutting 7.934km, was Angus Blackwood, earning the gratitude of his Brisbane Grammarians crew.

Images: Boathouse Drive

ROWING VICTORIA AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Rowing Victoria is pleased to announce our award winners for the 2024–25 season.

Our Nominated Awards recognise individuals whose efforts, impact, and dedication embody the values that make our rowing community great.

Our Rower of the Year recipients are acknowledged for their consistent attendance at regattas, and their ability to deliver strong performances week after week.

Finally, we congratulate our Premiership winners, and all clubs and schools on their achievements throughout the season — your collective effort and competitive spirit were evident across every regatta, and we look forward to more exciting racing in 2025–26.

You can view full Rower of the Year and Premiership Standings via the RV Live App.

NOMINATED AWARDS

ROWERS OF THE YEAR

PREMIERSHIP WINNERS

BOATHOUSE DRIVE OPEN DAY

SUNDAY 30TH NOVEMBER | 9:00AM -11:30AM

Are you a past rower looking to return to rowing, or a school leaver looking to continue rowing? Perhaps you're looking to join an elite program, or a recreational club? If so, this event is for you!

The rowing clubs located on Boathouse Drive are opening their doors and welcoming you into their rowing clubs on Sunday the 30th of November, from 9-11:30am. The amazing facilities and wonderful club members will ensure your time on Boathouse Drive shows you the many opportunities available to you in rowing.

Participating clubs include Banks, Melbourne, Melbourne University, Mercantile, Richmond, and Yarra Yarra. Register via the link below for the chance to row on the Yarra with one of these clubs. Come along and be part of the action!

LEVEL 2 UMPIRE TRAINING

It was great to see experienced umpire Tony Lawless mentoring our new trainee umpire Ruby last weekend! Are YOU interested in progressing your umpiring training?

Contact newumpires@rowingvictoria.asn.au today!

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.