WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

This weekend, Geelong is set to turn on the charm with warm weather and great racing conditions for our second Masters regatta of the year - best of luck to everyone competing.

We'll also be keeping a keen eye on the Interstate Pathway Regatta, beginning on Sunday, with some talented Victorian athletes representing the Big White V!

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

VICTORIAN PATHWAY TEAM ANNOUNCED

Rowing Victoria congratulates the following State Members for selection in our Victorian Pathway Team for 2025.

It's fantastic to have representation from 20 different schools and clubs this year.

We look forward to cheering these athletes on at the Interstate Pathway Regatta at the Sydney International Regatta Centre from April 13-15.

We are confident they will make Victoria proud! Go the Big White V!

OTRC TEAM - NOMINATIONS OPEN

Rowing Victoria is now seeking athlete and coach nominations for selection in the Oceanic U22 Teams Rowing Championships (OTRC) Team.

The team will compete at West Lakes, SA, from Thursday 24 July – Sunday 27 July.

To be eligible athletes will be 18-21 years of age on 31 December 2025. Exceptions to this age group may apply to para-rowers. Athletes selected in an U23 or Senior A Australian Team in 2025 are not eligible.

28 athletes and 4 coaches will be selected.

Please see nomination pages below for more information.

VICS INVITED TO AUS TRIALS

Congratulations to the 19 Victorians invited to the ART Selection Regatta, and 7 invited to the Under 23 Selection Trials, taking place in Penrith from April 18-25. We wish them all the best and hope to see their names featured in Australia’s 2025 international campaign.

ART SELECTION REGATTA

UNDER 23 TRIALS

2025 INTERCOLLEGIATE REGATTA

The Intercollegiate Regatta (ICR) is conducted under the Melbourne University Sport (MUS) program of sporting competition between the residential colleges. The first inter-collegiate boat race was held in 1881.

Melbourne University Boat Club (MUBC) provides operational resources during the training period. The 2025 Intercollegiate season is five weeks including a short mid-semester break over the Easter period. Training started on 6 April and concludes with the regatta on 10 May.

Please be advised that the following closures will be in place during the regatta:

Boathouse Drive - 5:30am-12:00pm

Yarra River - 7:00am-11:00am

The crews have been given inductions with particular emphasis on coxswain knowledge including river and bridge rules. Please look out for these crews as they take to the water. In the event of an issue, please note the Day, Time, Location, Issue and most importantly the boat name. Greg Longden is the Event Manager and can be contacted by email at ICRManager@mubc.asn.au.

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.