WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Another fantastic weekend as clubs & schools took on the Dimboola Regatta and Head of the Wimmera. Thank you to our hosts Dimboola RC and all our amazing volunteers.

We look forward to the biggest weekend of racing so far this season, with more than 2,300 athletes preparing to take on the Melbourne Head Regatta! A number of schools will also be racing on Lake Wendouree at the Rowing Ballarat Schools Regatta.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

WORKS NOTICE: PRINCES BRIDGE

Rowers on the Yarra River please be aware of current renewal works on Princes Bridge. As per the Notice to River User linked below, the southern arch is currently closed, meaning the centre arch is for upstream traffic only, and the northern arch is for downstream traffic only.

Please take care when travelling in this area to avoid potential collisions.

This stage of works is scheduled to be completed by 29th November.

BOAT TRAILERS - BOATHOUSE DRIVE

In preparation for the Head of the Yarra, we ask that all Clubs and Schools please have their boat trailers removed from the Boathouse Drive boatshed precinct by 9pm Thursday 21 November.  

On behalf of the Hawthorn RC, thank you in advance, and we look forward to seeing you all rowing on the Yarra across the next two weekends.

THIS GIRL CAN WEEK

This week, it has been fantastic to see clubs embracing This Girl Can Week!

This Girl Can Week is all about celebrating & supporting everyday women to get active in ways that suit them, featuring a range of physical activity events designed to welcome beginners & those curious to try something new.

See below for two events being run by clubs this Sunday November 17th:

ROWING AUSTRALIA TECHNICAL RESOURCES

The Rowing Australia website has a range of resources available to all in the rowing community. The Drive Series covers nutrition, physiology, strength & conditioning, and injury prevention.

The technical models for Sweep and Scull are also able to be viewed, downloaded, printed and put up in your shed for all to see, discuss and strive toward.

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.

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)

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.