WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

It’s been a busy week of racing, as we’ve rolled from the APS Heads of the River and Footscray Saltwater Regatta straight into the Australian Rowing Championships!

Victorian crews have been putting in strong performances down in Tasmania, and we look forward to seeing our State crews hit the water on Sunday.

We also take a look back at what was a magical weekend at the Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta, and share exciting news ahead of the Victorian Sport Awards.

Read more below.

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

AUSTRALIAN ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Australian Rowing Championships are well underway, with 42 Victorian clubs and schools currently competing on Lake Barrington, Tasmania.

Well done to all medal winners thus far, and good luck to those still to race, including our Victorian State Team who will compete in the Interstate races from 1:30pm on Sunday.

Some final changes have been made to the Victorian crews, as we look to defend the John Coates AC Cup - view the full team below.

Go the Big White V!

Current Medal Tally (including composites)

🥇 14 🥈 8 🥉 7

Meg Dumbrell & Chloe Nevins (MUBC) celebrate their Gold medal finish

Image: Rowing Australia

2025 VICTORIAN SPORT AWARDS - FINALISTS

Congratulations to the following community members on their selection as finalists at the 2025 Victorian Sport Awards (VSAs):

Young Team of the Year - Victorian Pathway Team

This award recognises a Victorian junior team who has achieved outstanding results with respect to their performances at a national or international level in 2025.

Community Sporting Event of the Year - Dimboola Regatta

This award recognises an outstanding community sporting event that has been delivered successfully and benefitted the local community in 2025. The event will have demonstrated inclusive practices and provided benefit to, or had a positive impact upon, an individual sport or the local community.

Community Official of the Year - Sue Andrews

This award is open to Victorian community officials who have demonstrated excellence in their role as an official of their chosen sport during the 2025 year.

Read more about these finalists via the Vicsport website.

Winners will be announced at the VSAs at the MCG on Wed 13 May 2026.

HEAD OF THE SCHOOLGIRLS' REGATTA

It was a memorable weekend on the Barwon River, with three days of excitement, enthusiasm and camaraderie at the Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta. As the largest schoolgirl-only regatta in the world, the event continues to grow year on year, bringing together school communities and showcasing the strength of girls’ rowing across Victoria.

Well to all competitors across all divisions — your hard work and dedication were on full display across the weekend, and we hope you enjoyed the experience as much as we did.

OPEN DIVISION 1 WINNERS

A huge thank you also to the coaches, umpires, volunteers and supporters who played their part in creating the electric atmosphere of HOSG.

For some, this marks the end of their school rowing journey, we wish you all the best in your next chapter and hope to see you continue your rowing at a club near you. 🚀

APS HEADS OF THE RIVER

Two thrilling finishes headlined the APS Heads of the River, with crews enjoying excellent racing conditions in Nagambie.

Scotch College and Geelong Grammar were crowned Heads of the River in front of a record crowd on Saturday. Scotch’s win marks their 18th title in the past 22 years, while Geelong Grammar claimed their fourth consecutive title since 2019, bringing their total to 27.

Congratulations to both crews, along with all event winners across the program.

OPEN DIVISION 1 8+ RESULTS

Images: APS Sport

VALE PAUL GUEST ASM OAM QC

Rowing Victoria is saddened to hear of the passing of Paul Guest ASM OAM QC, a Life Member and Past President of Banks Rowing Club, whose impact on rowing in Victoria and Australia was profound. An Olympian, World Championships representative and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Paul enjoyed an outstanding rowing career before going on to contribute decades of service as a coach, administrator and mentor.

Beyond his achievements on the water, Paul was a highly respected barrister and Family Court judge, as well as a generous supporter of future generations through the establishment of the Paul Guest High Performance and Scholarship Foundation.

A fiercely driven and deeply committed figure, Paul leaves a lasting legacy within the rowing community and beyond. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched.

Image: 1968 Olympic Pair - Paul in bow seat, Australian Rowing Images

2026 MASTERS STATE TEAM - NOMINATE NOW

A friendly reminder that nominations for the Victorian Masters State Team close on:

5pm Monday 6th April

Seize the opportunity to wear the Big White V and showcase your ability against our rival states. Please review the full Selection Requirements before nominating.

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

PRE-SALE - 150 YEARS OF VICTORIAN ROWING

Commemorate 150 years of Victorian rowing with this limited pre-sale edition publication.

This book captures the rich history, defining moments and remarkable individuals who have shaped our sport since its beginnings. From iconic regattas and championship triumphs to the grassroots volunteers and clubs that built the foundation, we celebrate the legacy, growth and enduring spirit of rowing in Victoria.

Pre-sale purchasers will receive a signed copy from the authors, and each purchaser will be individually named and acknowledged in the front of the book.

Expected to be released in the second half of 2026.

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.