WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We're coming off an action-packed weekend which saw three regattas throughout the state, including the Australian Henley, Junior & Inter Schoolgirls State Champs, and BAS Head of the Lake.

Well done to all competitors, it is great to see so many crews out on the water and enjoying themselves!

We look forward to a great weekend in Nagambie for the RV State Championships! All the information you need can be found below.

Read more below.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

RV STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Rowing Victoria State Championships begin tomorrow in Nagambie!

We look forward to seeing a high standard of racing over the weekend and wish competitors all the best in their races.

Can't make it to Nagambie? Watch the action via the live stream links below. Please note that a full live stream will be provided on Saturday, with a single finish line camera and audio to be provided on Sunday. This decision was based on limited Sunday viewership in recent seasons.

BAS HEAD OF THE LAKE

As always, there was an electric atmosphere surrounding Lake Wendouree for the BAS Head of the Lake! Well done to all students who competed and those present to support their peers.

🏆 Div 1 Girls Open 4+: Loreto College

🏆 Div 1 Boys Open 4+: Ballarat Clarendon (course record)

🏆 Girls Aggregate: Loreto College

🏆 Boys Aggregate: Ballarat Clarendon

Check out results from all divisions via the link below.

WATERWAY UPDATES

Please be advised of the following access changes at these waterways:

Barwon River

Selection Trials will be taking place on Saturday 8 March 8:00am to 11:00am.

Maribyrnong River

Works are scheduled to take place on Raleigh Road Bridge in Maribyrnong from Monday, 3 March until mid-June.

During works, scaffolding will be installed below the bridge deck over Maribyrnong River to enable strengthening and repair works. Only one span will be open to river users at times. On-water exclusion zones and signage will be in place to alert river users to changed conditions.

More information is available here.

National Water Sports Centre

Closed for a further two-weeks due to high readings of Blue Green Algae.

AUSTRALIAN HENLEY REGATTA - GALLERY

A touching tribute to Ed Millear from his Melbourne Grammar crewmates. 💙

Images: 'Boathouse Drive'

RV PARA LEARN2ROW PROGRAM

The RV Para Learn2Row program has begun for 2025 and athletes are taking to the water on Albert Park Lake. The objective of this program is to provide people with a disability the opportunity to experience rowing and to begin their rowing journey.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact delwyn@rowingvictoria.asn.au.

Find more details via the link below.

2025 PATHWAY STATE TEAM - NOMINATE NOW

Victorian Pathway Team nomination dates are closing in!

Don't miss your chance to wear the Big White V and showcase your ability on the big stage! Nominate now and be part of the fun, with eights and coxless quad crews to be selected.

We are in need of scullers for both coxless quad crews and a female coxswain for our eight.

Athletes must be 17 or younger as at December 31st 2025.

Nominations close March 5th (Athletes).

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

SPORTING CLUB GRANTS PROGRAM

The Sporting Club Grants Program provides funding for community sport and active recreation organisations across Victoria, to help address barriers in participation, develop safe and sustainable practices and build social and active local communities.

Grant funding will be made available through four categories:

Category 1: On-field Uniforms or Equipment
Category 2: Volunteers and Officials
Category 3: Access and Engagement
Category 4: Competitors

Check your eligibility and read more about the grants via the link below.

Applications close 27 March 2025.

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.