Italy Weekend: Vogalonga 2025
Overview
Italy Weekend: Vogalonga 2025
In rowing travel circles, this event is legendary. How could it not be? Imagine Venice without motor boats for a morning. Thousands of rowed or paddled watercraft take to the waters for a 30 km “race”, which begins with a cannon shot from St. Mark’s Square. The route takes rowers through the lagoon to Burano, down to Murano and back along the famous canals to St. Marks to receive a participation medal. Rowers come from around the world, with quads, eights, various Venetian style rowing boats, plus kayaks, canoes, SUPs and anything else that moves forward with oars or paddles. The Vogalonga 2025 date is set – it is always on Pentecost Sunday. For many years we have offered a full package tour with our wonderful Italian partners. For 2025 we will connect you with our partners who can provide boat rental, event reigstration and assistance the day of the event. Email us and we will get you in touch and rowing Vogalonga 2025!
Fun Facts and What to Expect
Here is some background on the event and our planning, plus suggestions of where you might be able to travel to row this year. The history of the Vogalonga traces to 1974 with a first regatta of just a few traditional “mascarete” boats. The scope broadened the next year to allow any type of rowing boat and the event was billed as more a protest than a race. At issue was the growing number of motor boats in the lagoons and canals. It was not simply the sheer volume but also the impacts of the wakes on the historic structures and waterways. Now thousands of non-motorized water craft throng the winding 30+ km course, many sporting costumes, carrying picnic baskets or maybe pumping music from speakers. Organized chaos!
Our base for the Vogalonga 2025 is on Lido. We recommend that you stay on the Lido too – book your accommodation now. The rowing club on the island is where you and many others will launch from early in the morning. The warm-up row is to get to St. Mark’s Square before the cannon fires at 9 am, the official start. There is no timing and the point is to enjoy the experience of rowing through the highlights of Venice, a once a year opportunity. There is an advantage of being towards the front of the pack however. The last part of the race is through the Cannaeregio neighbourhood. The canal is narrow and everyone must pass under a bridge, one boat at a time. Frogmen control traffic but the wait can sometimes stretch to hours. Locals and tourists line the banks to watch the fun. Your boat will receive its package of medals and certificates, then a slow, cool down row back to Lido. Congratulations!