WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

It’s a big week of racing for Victoria’s young stars, with athletes showcasing their talent across both international and interstate stages.

The Australian Under 23 Team are off to a promising start in Poznan, including several stand out heat performances over the first two days of racing.

Meanwhile, it's been a disrupted Day 1 for our Victorian OTRC Team, as tricky conditions at West Lakes have limited racing.

Read more below.

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

WORLD ROWING U23 CHAMPIONSHIPS

The World Rowing Under 23 Championships are well underway in Poznan, Poland, with the action continuing until Sunday July 27. 🇵🇱

9 Victorians are competing across 4 events, with promising results so far and plenty of exciting racing still to come!

Romy Cantwell delivered a statement performance in the Women’s Single, finishing second fastest in the heats to book a direct ticket to Sunday’s A Final.

The Men's Four also clocked the second-fastest time of their heats to secure a spot in today's Semi, while the Women’s Four progressed through after finishing fifth in their heat. The Women’s Eight will close out their campaign in the B Final.

LIVE video streaming is available on the World Rowing website for ALL races.

CREWS FEATURING VICTORIANS

Images: Brad Redfern Photography

FISU WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES

The FISU World University Games Rowing begins today in Duisburg, Germany, with athletes representing their country in pursuit of glory, facing off against other top student rowers from around the globe!

We are very excited to share that some Victorian athletes will be representing Australia at the regatta. Sophie Reinehr (Mercantile) and Nick Szigeter (Banks) will both feature in the Single Sculls in their respective gender categories.

The heats will begin at 5:42pm AEST today, with racing live-streamed on FISU.tv.

We wish them all the best and will be keeping a close eye on their results!

WILD WEATHER TO KICK OFF OTRC

In an unfortunate start to the Oceania Teams Rowing Championship in West Lakes, Adelaide, Day 1 racing has been cancelled due to persisting severe weather.

We look forward to tuning back in to the action tomorrow, with live streams available for racing across the weekend!

2025 FLYING DOCTOR ROWATHON - SEPTEMBER 13

The 32nd Flying Doctor Rowathon is fast approaching and will be hosted by Wentworth District Rowing Club on Saturday, September 13. The Rowathon will be approximately 72km, broken into three legs of 19km, 28km, and 24km.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has been saving lives and assisting people in the outback and remote communities for more than 95 years. The annual rowathon helps raise money which goes to supporting the wonderful work and service that the RFDS supply.

Secure your entry via the link below - entries will be closing midnight August 24. 

OFFICE BEARERS & CONTACTS

Heading into the new season, with a number of role changes occurring, we ask that our member Clubs & Schools please update their 'Office Bearers & Contacts' on Rowing Manager as soon as possible.

It is important to ensure these are correct to avoid missing any key information.

If you encounter any issues in this process, please email kieran@rowingvictoria.asn.au.

YARRA RIVER CLOSURE - SAT AUGUST 16

Please be advised that the Yarra River will be closed on Saturday August 16 from 7:30am to 10:30am, for the Scullers Head of the Yarra.

The closure will be in place from VRA landing (MUBC) to the upper side of Hawthorn Bridge.

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.