The VSA is a 110+ year old organisation established in 1914 and run by volunteers with the aim of perpetuating the series of 10 winter events for the enjoyment of scullers with the side benefit that some scullers may gain skills and fitness.

Entry is available to all from 14 through to 90 years of age

The VSA is independent of Rowing Victoria and competitors do not need to be a competitive member of Rowing Victoria in order to compete in Winter Sculling.

The handicap series exists in order that scullers who are slow have the fun of being chased and seeing if they can make it to the finish ahead of the field, and that scullers who are fast have the fun of seeing how many they can chase down. The handicaps are based on the handicappers' subjective expectations of speed.

While there is an attempt to ensure close racing in every heat, the handicaps are not objectively derived. This adds an element of fun for some in 'beating the handicapper', often enough to get ahead on the points table.

Event details and schedule

Racing starts at 8.30am each week for all events other than the Handicap Series, which start at 9am, and generally concludes by 11.00am, depending on the number of heats required.

The river will usually be open and the Parks Victoria Flag System will be in operation throughout the event(s).   

• Albert Park Grand Prix Sat 6 June Albert Park Lake

The 4km race comprises 1½ anticlockwise laps of Albert Park Lake 

•  The ‘John Whiting’  Round the Island  Sat 13 June Yarra River

The Judge’s Box to Herring Island and return The 6km Round the Island race starts and finishes at the Judge’s Box 

• Handicap Series Yarra River

• Round 1 Sat 20 June 
• Round 2 Sat 27 June
• Round 3 Sat 4 July
• Round 4 Sat 11 July
• Round 5 Sat 18 July
• Round 6 - The Final - Sat 25th July

Cremorne Rail Bridge to the Judge’s Box

800m for less experienced scullers,

2000m for experienced scullers finishing at the Judge’s Box

•  Head of the Maribyrnong Sat 1 August Maribyrnong River Raleigh Road bridge to Lynchs Bridge

The Head of the Maribyrnong starts at the Canoe Club downstream from the Raleigh Road/Maribyrnong Road bridge and finishes approximately 3.2km downstream at Lynchs Bridge

•  GRA Scullers Head of the Barwon* Sat 8 August  Barwon River 

The Head of the Barwon is raced over 4km from Queen’s Park 

• Scullers Head of the Yarra Sat 15 August  Yarra River  Hawthorn Rowing Club to the Judge’s Box

The 8.6km Scullers Head of the Yarra starts at Hawthorn Rowing Club and finishes at the Judge’s Box 

*The Head of the Barwon is run by Geelong Rowing Association