It all started with a
group of friends doing a
mascarete regatta on Saint
Martin’s Day in 1974.
At that time, in a world
that was increasingly
turning towards motorboats,
there were only a few people
interested in Venetian
rowing.
Infact, besides the rowers, other
friends were involved, among whom were
Lauro Bergamo, then editor-in-chief of
Il Gazzettino, Toni Rosa Salva, active
in the world of regattas from time
immemorial, and Giuseppe Rosa Salva,
well-known for his commitment to protect
Venice.
And that is how it was conceived to
organize a non-competitive regatta,
inviting amateurs and all those who had
‘boated their oars’ for too long in
order to join against the deterioration
of the city and wave-motion, as well as
to resume Venetian traditions.
This spontaneous and sincere impulse
gave origin to the Vogalonga adventure,
first announced on January 26th, 1975,
and actively promoted by the committee
whose members are: Lauro Bergamo, Carlo
Gottardi, Delfo Utimpergher, Lilly
Sirolla and the Rosa Salvas (Toni, Lalo,
Pino and Paolo).
“A scanty group of Venetians” – that
is how Sandro Meccoli referred to them
in the Corriere della Sera – “who, tired
of babbling and listening to others
babble on the fate of the city and its
lagoon, have called people to arms; that
is, the traditional arm, the oar.”
The route was then outlined: about 30
km across the canals and the most
pleasant and picturesque places in
Venice lagoon. Support from the press
and cooperation on the part of the
city’s administration was fundamental.
It was decided that the boats would
gather in St. Mark’s Basin in front of
the Doge’s Palace on the “Sensa” day
(Ascension).
It was May 8th, 1975.
Actually, on that day nobody expected
to experience such an emotion: the sight
of 500 boats arriving quietly, carrying
about 1,500 participants, the still
waters of the Bacino waiting for them,
the cannon shooting, and then the
swishing of so many oars moving
together.
There were gondolas, pupparinos, and
then sandolos, mascaretas, caorlinas,
topas, peatas, viperas, s’ciopóns, and
many others together with the most
prestigious boats of the various
Venetian sports clubs, and rowing
champions with their entire families.
Venice was awakening and finding a
new form and voice.
And not only Venice was there:
already at the first competition the
participating crews came from the
estuary and the coast, from Caorle,
Chioggia, Padua, Treviso and Riva del
Garda, as well as from Lombardy and
Piedmont.
“… the revenge of oars over engine” –
wrote Delfo Utimpergher in the newspaper
Il Gazzettino – “the rediscovery of the
charming environment of the lagoon, a
gathering of common people who are not
protesting against something or someone,
but only showing solidarity with Venice.
So many hands reaching out towards the
city to defend it from one of its most
cunning woodworms, the wave-motion…”
The initiative became more and more
successful, and participation increased
to reach 1,550 boats and about 5,800
participants in 2007.
On the wave of enthusiasm, in a few
years over fifty rowing clubs were
created in Venice and neighbouring
centres which gradually equipped
themselves with wonderful ceremonial
boats manned by ten, twelve, and
eighteen rowers.
This has led to a new perception of
the importance of this unique place and
of this craftsmanship that had almost
disappeared.