May - Vogalonga

The Vogalonga rowing competition is a major event each spring as the motorboats of the lagoon give way to large number and variety of unpowered boats as they participate in this marathon 30 km race.

This event originated in 1974  with the aim of making Venetians aware of the problem of swell created by engine-powered boats, thanks to the initiative of a group of Venetians who were lovers of rowing and of the traditions of the "Serenissima".  Since then the number of participants, especially from abroad, has continued to grow, with entries totalling up to 1,500 boats.

On November 11, 1974, a group of Venetians, with a passionate interest in rowing. in the lagoon and in the traditions of the “Serenissima”, got together on the island of Burano for the first race in a unique “regatta”.

For years, one Venetian family, the Rosa Salvas, together with a group of friends and numerous rowing champions, organized a race during the festivities of San Martino in a “caorline” with six oars.

The crew was mixed, male and female, half of whom were rowing champions who had won the “Regata Storica” many times and half of whom were amateur rowing enthusiasts.

It was during the lunch following the race that the idea of a non-competitive race to be held the following year was launched. A race in which any type of rowing boat could participate. This race would be an invitation to the city authorities and citizens to act against the decline of the city, against the destructive waves caused by motor boats and to renew the traditional Venetian festivities.

In the morning a large number of boats of every type and shape gather in St. Mark's Basin opposite the Doge's Palace to await the start; they then set off on a roughly 30 kilometre long course that winds its way among the lagoon islands before returning to Venice along the Rio di Cannaregio to finish at the Punta della Dogana.

Click here to find out more about the Vogalonga event.