WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

Enjoyable racing was seen at Carrum last Saturday, with conditions changing throughout the day. Well done to all competitors and Carrum RC for their hosting efforts!

We look forward to bringing the year to a close this weekend, as Essendon RC host the Henley on the Maribyrnong! For those looking to get organised for next year, entries are now open for the MRA Rutherglen Regatta.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

2025 STATE TEAMS - SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

The selection requirements and nomination forms for all 2025 State Teams are now live on the Rowing Victoria website.

Senior/Para/Youth nominations close on Friday 20th December 2024.

Masters nominations close on Monday 20th January 2025.

Pathway nominations close on Friday 14th February (Coaches) & Wednesday 5th March 2025 (Athletes).

We are also looking for two selectors for the VIC Pathway Team. If you are experienced in crew selection, and want to share your expertise / rowing knowledge with others, then this opportunity to be involved with developing rowers & coaches is perfect for you.

Selector nominations close Tuesday 4th February 2025.

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

2025 NATIONAL TEAMS - SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

The selection requirements and nomination forms for a number of 2025 National Teams are also available.

Under 23 nominations close on Friday 20th December 2024.

Under 19 nominations close Friday 31st January 2025.

Beach Sprint Team (Senior & Under 19) requirements are also now available, with nominations closing Sunday 30th March 2025.

COASTAL ROWING - SAVE THE DATE

A friendly reminder to save the following date in your calendar, as we look forward to the return of Coastal Rowing (Beach Sprints):

Sun 19th January 2025 - Williamstown Beach

Come on down and get a taste of a different style of rowing!

Members will be able to enter via Rowing Manager, whilst non-members can fill out the waiver form on the regatta page.

Free entry. All equipment provided. All abilities welcome.

2025 HOSG MERCHANDISE - PRE-ORDER NOW

Pre-orders for 2025 Head of the Schoolgirls' merchandise are now available.

The online store will close for pre-orders at 10am Tues 25th February.

These garments are not available to collect anywhere other than the TRS pop-up onsite at Barwon River on 14th-16th March 2025.

COACH DEVELOPMENT

There will be some coach development opportunities available in 2025.

Rowing Australia are particularly keen to assist women into High Performance Coaching. If you are female and are interested in hearing about opportunities that will be offered, please send an email to coaching@rowingaustralia.com.au and they will keep you informed.

UPCOMING EVENTS

RA APPOINTS NEW PARA HEAD COACH

Rowing Australia has continued to build on its Paralympic success with the appointment of James Loveday as Head Coach of the para-rowing program.

Loveday has already made a strong contribution through his role as Para Lead Coach and now graduates to the top job, where he will have the opportunity to work closely with the talented crop of current Rowsellas and pathway athletes.

Loveday says he is ready to continue the momentum of para-rowing success within Australia and on the international stage.

Credit: Rowing Australia

REGIONAL ALL ABILITIES PARTICIPATION GRANTS

Regional All Abilities Participation Grants assist organisations to increase participation opportunities and address barriers to participation for people with disability in regional Victoria.

Grants will support organisations to:

• Purchase modified equipment, assistive technology, adaptive clothing, and environmental aids
• Recruit, mentor, employ, and retain a person with disability to a paid or voluntary position
• Employ a specialised workforce to support people with disability
• Reduce travel costs for active participants with disability
• Broaden the range of on-going, flexible, and place-based sport or active recreation programs; and
• Increase awareness, understanding, acceptance, community pride, and connection.

Key information:

• Grant amount: Up to $25,000 per category
• Applications Open: 6 November 2024
• Applications Close: TBC (Ongoing)

If you have resources that should be shared amongst the sporting community, please reach out directly to your City of Ballarat Club Liaison and Support Officer.

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.