WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We're looking forward to following the international rowing action from tonight, as the Australian Rowing Team take on the world in Varese, Italy!

There's been multiple big announcements this week, including our final state team and a venue for next year's Australian Rowing Championships.

Read more below.

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

INTERNATIONAL ACTION UNDERWAY

The international rowing action began last weekend, with the Australian Para Team competing at the Para Rowing Regatta in Paris. It was a largely successful regatta for the whole team, including Victorian Susannah Lutze, who secured 2 Gold medals.

This weekend we cast our eyes to the Australian Rowing Team, who will be competing at the World Rowing Cup in Varese, Italy from June 13-15. 13 Victorians will be featuring, with their crews and first race times outlined below.

Live race tracker and audio will be available for ALL races, with live video streaming available only for A-Finals on Sunday.

Image: Rowing Australia

VICTORIAN OTRC U22 TEAM ANNOUNCED

Rowing Victoria congratulates the following State Members for their selection in the 2025 Victorian OTRC Under 22 Team.

We look forward to watching these athletes compete at the inaugural Oceania Teams Rowing Championships in SA, from July 24-27.

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

ARC26 HEADING BACK TO TASSIE

Rowing Australia has confirmed that the Australian Rowing Championships will be returning to Lake Barrington, Tasmania, from March 23-29, 2026.

We hope to see our 2025 Victorian success replicated when we head back across the Bass Strait next year.

As per previous years, protected trailer space on the Spirit of Tasmania is available here. Rowing Australia has sent further information regarding this via email.

Further event details, including entries, ticketing, and volunteer opportunities, will be released in the coming months.

MERCANTILE SCHOOL LEAVER SCHOLARSHIPS

Mercantile Rowing Club are pleased to launch the School Leaver Scholarship (SLS). The SLS is aimed at providing school leaver athletes financial support to allow them to row and race at Mercantile Rowing Club.

Eight scholarships worth $2000 each (four female and four male) will be awarded to development athletes who are seeking U21 State Selection and with the aim to represent Australia in the Years to come either in U19. U21, U23 or Senior Teams. The SLS is open to existing and new members of Mercantile Rowing Club.

Applications close on Sunday 3 August 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.