WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Racing returned last weekend, as clubs and schools officially kicked off 2026 at the Rowing Ballarat Regatta on Lake Wendouree!

This week, more than 1,800 athletes are preparing to take on the Barwon Regatta, with two exciting days of racing ahead. With high temperatures forecast, participants are reminded to be SunSmart and to use all five forms of sun protection throughout the weekend.

Read more below.

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

RV VIRTUAL ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Rowing Victoria are excited to announce the introduction of the RV Virtual Rowing Championships, in partnership with Row Nation & EXR.

The Championships will be open to competitors from 7th - 15th February, with the Top 4 in each category to compete LIVE at the RV State Championships on Sunday 1st March.

Entry is FREE, with registrations to be completed via the Row Nation event portal. The portal and further submission instructions will be available on Wednesday 28th January.

2026 MASTERS STATE TEAM - NOMINATIONS OPEN

A friendly reminder that nominations are open for the 2026 Victorian Masters State Team, set to compete at the Interstate Masters Regatta at Champion Lakes, on May 29th.

Please review the full Selection Requirements before nominating. Please note these have recently been updated, with date changes for on-water trials and the sweep selection boat.

Nominations close on Monday 6th April 2026.

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

EVENT SPONSORSHIP

Have your business or family name published in the online regatta program and results, as well as being announced by the event commentator during the race, with sponsorship now available for all events at these regattas:

Head of the Schoolboys' Regatta- February 7th

Rowing Victoria State Championships - February 27th - March 1st

Head of the Schoolgirls' Regatta - March 13th-15th

For further information or to discuss additional sponsorship opportunities, please email kieran@rowingvictoria.asn.au.

BARWON REGATTA - RA PATHWAY TRANSITION MANAGER

The role of Rowing Australia’s Pathway Transition Manager, John Bowes, primarily focuses on better understanding the local and US environments in order to develop and maintain better connections with student-athletes based in the US.

John has established relationships with Head Coaches and Recruiters in numerous college rowing programs, providing him with a broad knowledge of the principles and expectations of each program, how they’re run and the academic standards of each college.

John’s information and advice will be invaluable for athletes and parents seeking information when considering a US College experience and we recommend you contact John as your first point of call for accurate advice and information.
 
John will be at the Barwon Regatta this Saturday 24 January. Look out for him, say ‘hello', and ask him any questions if you or your rower are considering the US College pathway!

Learn more about John's role.

ROWING BALLARAT REGATTA - GALLERY

Images: Matt Nielsen

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.