WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We're coming off a huge weekend of racing, with three regattas lighting up the regatta calendar. Year 9 crews battled it out for bragging rights at the RV Junior School State Championships, clubs and schools returned to the Yarra for the Australian Henley Regatta, and Ballarat schools went head-to-head at the BAS Head of the Lake.

We also had great Victorian representation at the NSW Rowing Championships, with Essendon, MUBC, and Banks featuring in the Top 10 of the Club Point Score. Well done to all who made the trip north, it's always nice to pinch some medals off NSW!

The momentum continues this weekend with all eyes on the Rowing Victoria State Championships. Open and Underage athletes have already set the tone, delivering competitive racing in largely excellent conditions to kick off the regatta.

Read more below.

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE RV STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

RV STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Rowing Victoria State Championships are well underway on Lake Wendouree, with a high standard of racing expected across the weekend. We wish all competitors the very best in their races, and hope to see many supporters cheering them on.

We also look forward to officially recognising 2024/25 Rowing Victoria award winners at the 150th Luncheon & Awards on Saturday.

Can’t make it to Ballarat? Catch every race live, with streaming available across all three days of State Championships action.

School rowers are encouraged to visit the 'Village Green' on Saturday to meet clubs and explore life after school rowing. Participating clubs include Melbourne, Banks, Richmond, Mercantile, MUBC, Power House, La Trobe Uni and Barwon.

🕤 Time: 9:45 - 11:15am

📍 Location: Spectator Precinct, Lake Wendouree

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.

BAS HEAD OF THE LAKE

Rainy conditions couldn’t numb the electric atmosphere of the BAS Head of the Lake, with Ballarat Clarendon and Loreto College achieving historic back-to-back victories.

Well done to all students who competed and those present to support their peers.

🏆 Div 1 Boys Open 4+: Ballarat Clarendon

🏆 Div 1 Girls Open 4+: Loreto College

🏆 Boys Aggregate: Ballarat Clarendon

🏆 Girls Aggregate: Loreto College

Full results from Sunday available via the regatta page.

2026 STATE & NATIONAL TEAMS - NOMINATE NOW

A friendly reminder that nominations are open for a number of State and National teams.

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.

To be selected onto the AUS U19 Team, an athlete must first be in a boat from their home state in order to attend trials. The crews are then trialled against other crews to determine the fastest trial boat in each boat class. Each State can enter one crew in each boat class into the trials. For more information on this process, please read the Trial Boat Information.

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

DAVE GRUBITS: RESPECTED AUTHORITY, WORLD CLASS STANDARDS

For David “Dave” Grubits, umpiring has never been about personal recognition. Instead, it is about creating the best possible environment for athletes to perform at their peak, while ensuring the sport he loves is delivered with fairness, clarity, confidence and, above all, safety. Learn more about Dave's experience and umpiring journey via our website.

AUSTRALIAN HENLEY REGATTA - GALLERY

Images: Boathouse Drive

LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING AN UMPIRE

Umpires are the backbone of Australian rowing, ensuring every regatta is safe, fair and professionally run while athletes focus on performing at their best.

For those seeking a new way to stay connected to or support the sport of rowing, umpiring offers an exciting and rewarding pathway. You can develop leadership skills, gain experience and become part of a passionate and welcoming community.

With opportunities ranging from local regattas to national championships and international events, umpiring can take you further than you ever imagined.

Take the next step and explore how you can become an accredited umpire below, or reach out to the team at 📩 newumpires@rowingvictoria.asn.au to start your umpiring journey today.

SHE MOVES STONNINGTON

Power House Rowing Club will be participating in the She Moves Stonnington initiative this March. She Moves Stonnington is a Council-led program aligned with International Women’s Day, aimed at encouraging women and girls to try or return to sport by reducing common barriers such as confidence, safety and cost.

PHRC will be offering a beginner-friendly women and girls 'Come & Try' rowing session as part of the program, including land-based instruction and a short on-water component :

Date: Sunday 15 March

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Cost: Free

Please encourage your female friends and family to participate!

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.