WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

This week, we reflect on the strong Victorian performances at the Australian Rowing Championships in Tasmania, highlighted by our Lightweight success, including the end of a nine-year Victoria Cup drought.

We're excited for the Victorian Masters season to get underway, with the first of three dedicated Masters regattas set for this Saturday on Albert Park Lake.

We'll also be keeping a keen eye on the Interstate Pathway Regatta, beginning on Monday, with emerging Victorian talent representing the Big White V for the first time.

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

AUSTRALIAN ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

It was a wild week on Lake Barrington at the Australian Rowing Championships from March 23-29, as windy conditions challenged the nations best rowers.

In two dominant performances, our Victorian Lightweights lit up the Interstate Regatta.

Our Men’s Four went back to back, making it 3 Penrith Cup wins in 4 years, whilst our Women’s Quad secured the Victoria Cup for the first time since 2016!

After giving their all in a nail-biting finish, our Men’s Eight fell agonisingly short to QLD by just 0.22 seconds, whilst 4 crews put in strong performances to claim Bronze medals.

Well done to all who pulled on the Big White V, you should be proud of your efforts, helping us achieve 2nd place in the overall Interstate Championship.

INTERSTATE RESULTS SUMMARY

🥇 2 🥈 1 🥉 4

Images: Brad Redfern Photography

Victorians also achieved fantastic results throughout the week, with club and school members featuring in 82 medal winning crews. Special mention to Mercantile RC (2nd) and Melbourne University BC (5th) for their strong finishes in the Champion Club Point Score, as well as a number of high performing Victorian schools, and the VICs who dominated the individual medal tally!

Well done to all members who made the journey down to Tassie, it’s fantastic to see a stack of medals return across the Bass Strait.

VIC CLUB/SCHOOL MEDALS (inc. comp)

🥇 34 🥈 28 🥉 20

Check out our full list of medal winners via the link below.

Images: Patrick Boere, Brad Redfern, Gary Lynagh

2026 VICTORIAN PATHWAY TEAM ANNOUNCED

Rowing Victoria congratulates the following members on their selection in the 2026 Victorian Pathway (Under 18) Team.

It’s fantastic to have representation from 16 different schools & clubs.

We look forward to seeing these crews in action at the Interstate Pathway Regatta, at the Sydney International Regatta Centre from April 13-14.

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

VICS INVITED TO AUS TRIALS

Congratulations to the 20 Victorians invited to the Australian Rowing Team (ART) Selection Regatta, and 8 invited to the Under 23 Selection Trials, taking place in Penrith from April 15-19. Congratulations also to the 6 US-based Victorians who will partake in the Under 23 USA Selection Trials from June 10-13 in Princeton.

Performances in Penrith will help shape selection for the 2026 World Rowing Cups in Europe, before the final Rowsellas squad is confirmed to compete at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands from August 24-30.

Under 23 trials will determine selection for the Australian team bound for the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, to be held from July 23-26 in Duisburg, Germany.

Following a comprehensive process, ART coxswains have been confirmed ahead of the regatta, with Victorian Hayley Verbunt OLY once again selected to steer the Women’s Eight.

We wish these athletes all the best and hope to see their names featured in Australia’s 2026 international campaign.

ART SELECTION REGATTA

ROWING VICTORIA X OAKLEY & RAY-BAN

Did your sunnies blow away in Tassie? Or are you looking to upgrade your style for the end of the season? Rowing Victoria members can access an exclusive discount on premium Oakley & Ray-Ban eyewear.

Enjoy 40% off RRP on Oakley & Ray-Ban eyewear and 15% off RRP on Meta eyewear.

Instructions available via the link below.

INTERCOLLEGIATE SEASON & REGATTA

The Intercollegiate Regatta (ICR) is conducted under the Melbourne University Sport program of sporting competition between the residential colleges, with the first inter-collegiate boat race dating back to 1881. Melbourne University Boat Club (MUBC) provides operational resources during the training period.

The ICR returns in 2026, with the season spanning five weeks including a short mid-semester break over the Easter period.

Training starts on April 12 and concludes with the regatta on May 9.

Nine colleges participate, comprising of 23 eights of varying capability. It brings approximately 250 young adults either back to rowing after their school journey or introduces new rowers to the sport.

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. Damien Schroder is the Event Manager for 2026 and can be contacted by
email at ICRManager@mubc.asn.au.

MUBC is very grateful for the support of Melbourne RC, Yarra Yarra RC, Richmond RC, Melbourne Girls Grammar School, and Strathcona Girls Grammar School, without which the event could not happen.

St Hilda's College cheer squad on the Yarra in 2025

Image: Alo Shoots

HOTY BOAT CHARTER

The Head of the Yarra is providing a free boat charter listing service to assist travelling crews to access boats, and provide an opportunity for charter clubs or schools to earn additional funds or defer costs.

This year we expect over 300 crews racing, which will represent the biggest field ever for the event. We are expecting a large number of crews from interstate and overseas, and many of these entrants will be looking to charter boats and oars for the event and possibly for crew training beforehand.

If your school/club has a boat or boats with oarsets that you would like to list for charter, please follow the link below and complete a form for each boat that you would like to list.

It is up to the boat provider to determine the terms on which the charter is to be made.

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.

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.