WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

It was a beautiful sunny Saturday at the Saltwater Challenge, thank you to Essendon RC for their efforts in accomodating approximately 600 athletes. Unfortunately, the weather didn't last all weekend, with windy conditions disrupting Sunday's Beach Sprints.

This weekend, members venture north for the Flying Doctor Rowathon, raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service! Those unable to attend may still contribute to the cause by making a donation via the link below.

Read more below.

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

ROWSELLAS PREPARE TO DEPART

The Rowsellas were officially presented with their World Rowing Championships zooties this week, as they complete their final sessions at the Sydney International Regatta Centre before departing to Shanghai, China.

The World Rowing Championships will take place from 21-28 September, 2025. We're very excited to see our stars back in action!

Images: Rowing Australia / Patrick Boere

HEAD OF THE YARRA - ENTRIES & BOAT HIRE

The 2025 Head of the Yarra is fast approaching, with a number of international and interstate crews looking to hire boats for the event.

If your club or school has boats and equipment they are willing to loan out, please visit the Hire/Loan Facebook page via the link below.

Please note that there is still some capacity for Victorian entries, with approximately 10 spots remaining!

THE RETURN OF BEACH SPRINTS

It was great to be back on the sand last Sunday, for the exciting return of Beach Sprints! 🏖️

Hosted at Williamstown Beach, the regatta was set up to follow the Nationals format, with 22 crews ready to compete across the morning.

The day began with time trials to determine progression into the semi-finals. Many rowers entered in two events therefore rowed in two TT crews. Experience showed, with the fastest time posted by Max Currie (Hawthorn) and Charlotte Watts (Banks), closely followed by Archie Critchell (Mercantile) and Mia Tulloch (Banks).

Unfortunately, strong winds required us to cancel racing early, but we hope participants got a taste of the fun and excitement that Beach Sprints is all about.

A big thank you to all participants and those who supported us in running the event. We hope to see you there next time!

BENTLEYS' AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK ROWING REGATTA

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of rowing, road-tripping, and regional hospitality at the Bentleys' Australian Outback Rowing Regatta Weekend, held across two iconic Queensland towns: Barcaldine and Longreach, from 3-6 October 2025.

From the high-energy Outback Sprints in Barcaldine on Saturday to the legendary Head of the Outback in Longreach on Sunday, the weekend is packed with racing, social events, and a convoy of cars and boats winding its way through the heart of the Outback. It’s more than just a regatta. It’s a celebration of rowing in regional Australia, a chance to meet new friends, reconnect with old ones, and discover the spirit of the bush.

NOMINATIONS OPEN - RV BOARD DIRECTORS

There are two positions open for Rowing Victoria Board Nominations, following the completion of the terms of two present RV Board Members.

In accordance with the Rowing Victoria Constitution, nominees are asked to please complete the nomination form, accompanied by a one page supporting word document, by 5pm Thursday 25th September 2025.

NOMINATIONS OPEN - RV ANNUAL AWARDS

Nominations for the below awards will close on Monday 29 September 2025.

Awards will be presented at the 2025 Rowing Victoria AGM & Annual Awards, with the date and venue still to be confirmed.

To be eligible to nominate, you must have been a member of an RV Association, Club or School in the 2024-2025 season and clearly state your name and affiliated body upon nomination.

The following awards are open for nominations:

Club Person of the Year
Coach of the Year
School Person of the Year
Regatta of the Year
The William Waterfield Outstanding Service Award
The Kath Bennett Community Service Award
The Bob Duncan Award
The Susie Palfreyman Award

NOMINATIONS OPEN - STATE TEAM SELECTORS

Rowing Victoria is calling for nominations for selectors to assist in the selection of 2026 Victorian Senior, Para, & Youth State Team. The team will compete at the Interstate Regatta on 29 March 2026, on Lake Barrington, Tasmania.

Nominations close 5pm Friday 26 September.

ESAFETY WEBINARS

Online Safety 101 for Community Sport Clubs

These sessions are for community sport leaders and volunteers who want tips to create safer online spaces and learn how to respond to online abuse.

📅 12 November 2025
🕧 12.30pm – 1.15pm AEST

Social Media Self-Defence for Athletes

These sessions are for state, national and pathway athletes (18 years and over) who want to set up safer social media accounts and learn strategies to respond to online abuse.

📅 26 November 2025
🕧 12.30pm – 1.15pm AEST

Webinars for parents and carers

eSafety also offers a range of webinars to support parents and carers in helping their children navigate the online world safely. 

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.