The Vogalonga
The Vogalonga is one of the main water festivals in Venice , a 32km non-competitive race for rowing boats; in the spirit of historical festivities.
It is normally held in May, on the Sunday morning following the “Sensa Festival”; but because the date changes each year, the Vogalonga 2025 will take place on June 8th.
Every year, thousands of participants take part in what can be described as a fun and exciting non competitive race. Essentially it’s a grand “get-together”,started in 1975 and a protest against the destructive action of motorboats; damaging the fragile lagoon ecosystem and Venice’s building foundations. The initial motivating force, was to “invite all enthusiasts and all those who had ‘laid the oars’ for too long“.
50 clubs in Venice and private boats from all over the world participate in this wonderful event. The course and length may slightly be subject to variation, but is usually around 30 km (18 miles) and crosses the Lagoon to the Burano Island and twists its way back through Cannaregio to the end point in the Grand Canal.
I have retained in the post, some descriptions from the 2021 and 23 Event; as it is useful to help understand the event’s program. (some 2025 details not yet published).
The Vogalonga 2025
The Race
Starting positions and map of the route for the 2021 Vogalonga.
Course details from the Vogalonga – 2023 Event.
Celebratory poem – “Vogalonga’s Serenade”
Links (internal – external)
The event will take place on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The course spans approximately 30 kilometers, starting from St. Mark’s Basin, crossing the Lagoon to Burano Island, and winding back through Cannaregio to the Grand Canal.Participants: The event is non-competitive and open to various types of boats, including kayaks, Venetian-style rowing boats, and larger vessels. It typically involves around 2,000 boats and 8,000 rowers. Purpose: Originally started in 1975 as a protest against the damage caused by motorboat waves, the Vogalonga has grown into a celebration of rowing and the beauty of Venice.
“Vogalonga is an act of love for Venice and the waters that surround it, for its lagoon and its islands, for rowing and its boats, and it maintains over time the purpose for which it was created: to spread knowledge and conscious respect for the nature and culture of our city“.
The Vogalonga – The Race
The story of Vogalonga begins with a simple friendly regatta among “mascarete” on Saint Martin’s Day in 1974. In an era when the roar of engines began to drown out the placid beat of oars, a group of devotees of the “voga alla veneta” set out to reverse this trend.
The first Vogalonga, was officially proclaimed on January 26, 1975. An event designed to be an inclusive experience, extending the invitation to every enthusiast and veteran rower to unite in defense of Venice. Almost any kind of rowing boat could participate; in the spirit of historical festivities.
Each participant receives a commemorative medal and a certificate of participation. They may also receive a prize chosen randomly, which are often trophy cups and plaques, decorative oars and other mementos, which local associations, newspapers and the organising committee have donated.
The numbers of participants have swelled to several thousand over the years from all over the world. New rowing clubs, have been founded and many build their own boats, based on historical designs.
Participants first gather in St Marks Basin in front of the Doge’s palace. All boats then move to their starting position in the Giudecca Canal starting at 08:30 and take a position behind the Punta della Dogana. The race is started at 9.00am, by a cannon shot.
Some teams dress up in costumes, others in the livery of their rowing clubs. The atmosphere is “fun-filled, with extra cheers for those who make a special effort, such as bringing an onboard bagpiper! Towards the finishing line, spectators give extra encouragement to the exhausted crews.
In 2007, for the 33rd Vogalonga, there were a record 5,600 participants, in over 1,500 boats. Teams and individuals from the Veneto, from the rest of Italy and from many other countries join in and add to the party atmosphere. This year the number of boats was limited to 500.
The 2009 Vogalonga, could have become a small-scale disaster; strong winds overturned several rowboats and around 50 people had to be pulled from the water. Fortunately, police and fire service motorboats were quick on the scene and nobody was seriously injured.
Today, the event is tightly controlled through its organising authority. Visit their website below, to find out about dates, registration and compliance with its rules, regulations and safety requirements.
Below: starting positions and map of the route for the 2021 Vogalonga.
Some teams dress up in costumes, others in the livery of their rowing clubs. The atmosphere is “fun-filled, with extra cheers for those who make a special effort, such as bringing an onboard bagpiper! Towards the finishing line, spectators give extra encouragement to the exhausted crews.
In 2007, for the 33rd Vogalonga, there were a record 5,600 participants, in over 1,500 boats. Teams and individuals from the Veneto, from the rest of Italy and from many other countries join in and add to the party atmosphere. This year the number of boats was limited to 500.
The 2009 Vogalonga, could have become a small-scale disaster; strong winds overturned several rowboats and around 50 people had to be pulled from the water. Fortunately, police and fire service motorboats were quick on the scene and nobody was seriously injured.
Today, the event is tightly controlled through its organising authority. Visit their website below, to find out about dates, registration and compliance with its rules, regulations and safety requirements.
Here are the course details from the Vogalonga – 2023 Event.
There may be small course variations for 2025 ( details not pubished yet).
Start
The “47th Vogalonga 2023” regatta is scheduled to start at 9am: after the customary ‘lifting-of-the-oars’ salute, a cannon shot will signal the start of the race. Around 8.30 am all boats are required to assemble in the Giudecca Canal grouped behind Punta della Dogana following instructions given by the Technical Commissioners. First, the fastest crafts will be asked to get in line, starting with rowing class boats, followed later by slower boats that carry fewer oarsmen.
Course
The Vogalonga course will be as follows: Bacino San Marco, canale delle Navi, canale della Bissa, canale Passaora, canale Crevan, Burano, Mazzorbo, canale S. Giacomo, canale Scomenzera, canale Bisatto, Murano, canale di Tessera, rio di Cannaregio, Canal Grande, Rialto, Punta della Salute.
The Finish
The finishing line of “47th VOGALONGA 2023” is at the end of Canal Grande, on a level with the Basilica della Salute. Medals and certificates of attendance will be distributed there from the pontoons set up for the purpose. As soon as a boat has received its award, it must stay clear of the area so that other crews can reach the pontoon.
Entry number
At registration crews will be allocated an entry number for each craft. A bib displaying this number should be worn by the rower in the bow or in another visible position to allow for checks along the course and for the identification of crew members at the finish.
Participation Awards
The Vogalonga is a non-competitive event and as such it does not have performance rankings at the finishing line. Each rower who crosses the finishing line will be issued a participation certificate and a medal to commemorate the event. The organisers agree to put in a raffle any boats or other prizes offered by public bodies or private institutions; these prizes, offered only to participants who complete the course, will be obtained by means of a prize draw to be held by the end of October. In order to claim a prize, participants must show the numbered slip which is attached to a duplicate copy of the registration form.
The event is open to any person over the age of 16. Minors under the age of 16 can join the race as long as they are accompanied by an adult with parental responsibility.
A celebratory poem – “Vogalonga’s Serenade”
In Venice, where canals embrace,
A thousand oars begin the race.
With dawn’s first light, they cut the waves,
In memory of the city’s braves.
From Giudecca to the Grand,
Through waters tranquil, waters grand,
Each stroke a pulse of ancient song,
To right the wrongs, to make them strong.
Gondolas, kayaks, dragon boats,
Amidst the city’s proudest notes.
In silence speaks the history,
Of Venice’ timeless mystery.
No motors hum, no engines churn,
Just human will and hearts that burn.
Through narrow lanes and open seas,
They row with strength and memories.
By churches grand and bridges old,
A tale of courage, bold, untold.
The race, a pact with Venice made,
A tradition that will never fade.
So rowers young and rowers wise,
With sunlit dreams and hopeful eyes,
In Vogalonga’s loving hold,
They journey through the city’s gold.
LINKS (internal – external)
Contact details: Address: Comitato Organizzatore Vogalonga, San Marco, 3998, 3012 Venezia – Italia Tel: +39 041 5210544 Email: [email protected]
Vogalonga – The official website-English
How to participate and register to the Vogalonga. If you haven’t already signed up in the past, you have to register yourself to the website below. Please enter a valid email address and choose a username and password. All the details on this page: Profile | Vogalonga
Carnifest.com/venice-vogalonga-2025/
VIDEO You Tube: Venice Vogalonga Festival Walking Tour | 2022
My other posts in the category of Festivals-Regattas-Events
Venice – Calendar of Events 2025
The Vogalonga The Vogalonga The Vogalonga