The 30 kilometer route will take the participants from St Mark's to the islands of Burano and Murano, through the Cannaregio and Grand Canals finishing back at St. Mark's. The boats and their paddlers come from far and wide. Some enthusiasts bring their own boats and the festival has seen Hungarian dragon boats, Canadian canoes, German, French and Swiss yoles, an America whaleboat replica, a Cornish gig and all manner of traditional Italian vessels: sandali, caroline, mascarete, puparina, and gondolas.
Not a vaporetto nor a motorboat is to be seen as this armanda of rowers make their way through the Venetian waters cheered on by thousands of spectators.
The Vogalonga is the brainchild of the Rosa Salva family of Venice who support Venetian traditions in many different ways. In 1974 they organized a race with their friends at the island of Burano in six-oared carolines. Out of this event came the idea of the Vogalonga and since 1975 the event has attracted both international and local participants.
In 2008 there were over 1500 vessels and 6,000 rowers. The Vogalonga creates a magical time on the quiet canals of Venice; it is a festival of color, music, laughter, tradition and most of all the sight is unforgettable whether you are in a boat or cheering from the streets and bridges of Venice.
