(Venice, Italy) Vogalonga, the world's most pleasant boat race, takes place in Venice this year on Sunday, May 15, 2016, since many of you have asked. The online deadline to register is May 12. Go to the official website for more information.
Philip Plisson, the renowned French maritime photographer, has designed the poster for the 42nd Vogalonga.
UPDATE MAY 15, 2016: Here are some photos from today, Vogalonga 2016.
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| Vogalonga 2016 - Photo: Cat Bauer |
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| Vogalonga 2016 - Photo: Cat Bauer |
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| Vogalonga 2016 - Photo: Cat Bauer |
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| Vogalonga 2016 - Photo: Cat Bauer |
Vogalonga is much the same every year, peaceful, tranquil, and full of goodwill, with rowers arriving from all over the world to participate in the beauty of the race. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, or for those who need a refresher, here's the Vogalonga post from last year:
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| Vogalonga 2015 |
(Venice, Italy) The Vogalonga or "long row" has evolved into an international rowing event, with people who have a passion for boats that are propelled only by oars or paddles arriving in Venice from all over the world. It is one of the most beautiful days to be in Venice because there are no motorboats allowed -- not even the vaporettos run on the Grand Canal.
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| Vogalonga 2015 |
Rowing clubs from the Veneto and beyond fill the lagoon with the sweet sound of oars gliding into the water. Even though there are no cars in Venice, the noise the motor boats make with their grinding engines sometimes sounds as bad as the Los Angeles freeway. On Vogalonga, the loudest noises are made by human voices and the pounding drums that keep the dragon boats on track. The silence is awesome... and inspiring.
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| Vogalonga 2015 |
The Vogalonga began 41 years ago, back in 1974. A group of Venetians who were rowing enthusiasts wanted to draw attention to how motor boats run by fossil fuel were damaging the Grand Canal and lagoon by the violent waves they made -- something that Venetians still fight to bring to the world's attention today. They decided to have a long, non-competitive race, starting in the Bacino of San Marco in front of Palazzo Ducale.
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| Vogalonga 2015 |
The route is about 30 kilometers long (about 19 miles), winds out past the islands, and ends up on the Grand Canal -- really one of the most fantastic routes on the planet that a rower could hope to enjoy. It takes anywhere from 2 hours (if you're very fast) to 6 hours (if you want to kick back and see the scenery) to complete the race.
The event is entirely self-funded -- no sponsors, no government support -- just the €20 entry fee each rower pays to participate. These days there are thousands of participants; each year seems to set a new record.
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| Vogalonga 2015 |
For a few hours, on the day of the Vogalonga, it is easy to see how Venice came to be called La Serenissima -- the Most Serene Republic. How peaceful and serene the world seems without gasoline motors!
CLICK to go to the official Vogalonga website.
Ciao from Venezia,
Cat Bauer
Venetian Cat - The Venice Blog
Vogalonga, the world's most pleasant boat race, takes place in Venice this year on Sunday, May 15, 2016, since many of you have asked. The online deadline to register is May 12. Go to the official website for more information.
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