On Saturday 16^th August from 9am to 4pm there is a training day for all interested volunteers and officials to learn about the comprehensive AusDBF Rules of Racing,  skills needed to provide an efficient regatta and to practice together in various scenarios.

This day will include a number of hands-on activities and videos including:

• Correct use of two-way radios
• Making close calls in a 2km sweeps race
• Practice in the role of starter
• Hands-On Use of timing equipment including MultiTimer
• Key documents including AusDBF Rules of Racing and DBV Bylaws
• An outline of all roles, key responsibilities and key regatta contacts.

Philippa McLean, as an authorized AusDBF Course Presenter, will be the key presenter and she will be assisted by Jen Reilly, DBV Sweeps’ Coordinator and Gillian Styles, an experienced official from ACT.

For those wishing to proceed to accreditation as an Official, further zoom sessions will be conducted.

It will also be possible for participants try out their new skills (with support) at the BoB Regatta or another regatta in the DBV upcoming season.

The venue is Footscray Rowing Club Rooms , 40 Maribyrnong Blvd, Footscray VIC 3011(plenty of parking available)

Lunch, tea and coffee provided - including vegetarian and gluten free options.

If you would like more information about the session, please contact:

Philippa McLean 0413 620 182 philippa@escaliermclean.com.au

Tricia Lewis 0407 539 382 tricia@dragonboatvictoria.com.au

There will also be a ZOOM session on the evening of Wednesday 13^th August for keen members to learn about key documents to ensure they get maximum benefit from the training day and to assist the steps to accreditation.

Please ring Tricia, on 0407 539 382 if there are questions.

There are so many different positions available to interested partcipants - we can cater for those who want to be fit and active loading boats, those who want to see what happens in an umpire’s boat on the race course, those who are willing to learn what’s involved in starting a race and supporting the starter, those who can assist in marshalling teams and ensuring paddlers are safe to race, those who time races and enter results accurately to ensure everything is entered to assist accurate and well time presentations and those who can support the general administration elements essential for running an efficient regatta.

Experience is helpful but it’s not essential and we can build on skills learned in other sporting and work environments.

Sharing different jobs on any one day is possible and combining paddling and volunteering is possible especially when we have lots of helpers.

As some young Flames paddlers who assisted as boat loaders at the 2025 Vic Champs will confirm, it’s a good way to understand why certain rules are in place, to understand the complexities of how all the parts need to gel together for a fun and healthy regatta and to have fun with padders and participants.

Dragon Boat Victoria is strongly encouraging all clubs to provide two officials/volunteers at each regatta and this includes assistance prior to a regatta if boats need to be loaded to go from Docklands to Barwon  and then unpacked on their return.

This is a link to nominate volunteers for Battle on the Barwon Volunteer or Official at DBV Regattas 2025/2026 - Dragon Boat Victoria Inc.