WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

It was another fantastic weekend of rowing as clubs & schools took on the Dimboola Regatta and Head of the Wimmera. Well done to our hosts Dimboola RC and thank you to all our amazing volunteers.

This weekend racing returns the Yarra River, with more than 2,700 athletes set to compete in the 776BC Melbourne Head Regatta! Meanwhile, schools will also race on Lake Wendouree for the first time this season.

With such a large event, we ask all river users to be mindful of the increased activity and to show consideration for event organisers, volunteers, and participants.

Read more below.

Rowing Victoria

       UPCOMING REGATTAS

ALBERT PARK LAKE - ALL ABILITIES DAY

FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER | 11:00AM-2:00PM

📍 The Boatshed, 3 Aquatic Dr, Albert Park

This all abilities event invites people of all ages and experience levels to try rowing, sailing, or paddling in a safe and supportive environment.

WHAT IS PROVIDED
 ✅ Boats and equipment suitable for all abilities
 ✅ Safety gear and experienced support staff
 ✅ Opportunities to connect with local clubs and programs

Registration will cost $30, with the event page coming soon!

BOATHOUSE DRIVE OPEN DAY

SUNDAY 30TH NOVEMBER | 9:00AM -11:30AM

Are you a past rower looking to return to rowing, or a school leaver looking to continue rowing? Perhaps you're looking to join an elite program, or a recreational club? If so, this event is for you!

The rowing clubs located on Boathouse Drive are opening their doors and welcoming you into their rowing clubs on Sunday the 30th of November, from 9-11:30am. The amazing facilities and wonderful club members will ensure your time on Boathouse Drive shows you the many opportunities available to you in rowing.

Participating clubs include Banks, Melbourne, Melbourne University, Mercantile, Richmond, and Yarra Yarra. Register via the link below for the chance to row on the Yarra with one of these clubs. Come along and be part of the action!

INTERNATIONAL MASTERS SUCCESS

Congratulations to the Victorian Masters women who recently competed in the major USA head races in Boston and Philadelphia.

The crew of Tanja Nishibata (MRC), Jennifer Bingham (MUBC), Geraldine Goss (RRC) and Kathleen Hextell (DRG) achieved podium finishes in all four events entered.

The crew claimed the Silver medal in the highly competitive Masters Veteran Fours event at the Head of the Charles, among a large field including crews from Germany, Italy and the USA, all of whom had been national team representatives.

They repeated this success at the Head of the Schuylkill, claiming Silver in the Coxed Four and Coxless Quad events, missing Gold by a narrow 1 second margin! Nishibata/Hextell also claimed Silver in the Masters D age 2x, and Bingham/Goss the Gold in the Masters F age 2x.

Image: Row2k

VALE IAN ALLEN

This week we paid tribute to Olympian Ian Allen, a pioneering athlete and lifelong contributor to the sport, who passed away November 10 after a battle with cancer.

Former teammates and members of the Victorian rowing community remember Allen as a humble, determined and highly respected athlete who contributed significantly to every club he represented.

Rowing Victoria extends its sincerest condolences to Ian Allen’s family, friends and former crewmates during this difficult time.

Read the full tribute via the link below.

1956 Olympic coxed four with Ian second from the right

Image: Australian Rowing History

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.