Regata Storica Venezia 2021 - a gift from the past unpacked

What was September in Venice like? Orange, sparkling, fashionable, curious about the new premieres at Mostra Del Cinema and then applauding to the attendants of Regata Storica.

The start of September in Venice, this year was quite intense. On one side, we have witnessed, what does it mean, when a major fashion house such as Dolce e Gabbana chooses Venice as the ground for the presentation of the new collection and for the collateral events. Alberta Ferretti and her line breathing with Venetian colours and opulent materials. Then, ongoing Mostra del Cinema, with a film stars casually cruising in town or being filmed for the commercials.

Venice has also a new Aperol terrasse, probably thanks to (probably) the highest number of this cocktail drink in recent years. Aperol spritz became part of the Venetian props and Aperol might have taken it for their marketing activities.

One of the important events of the Venetian year, but surprisingly less promoted is Regata Storica. Regata Storica is the historical race of the rowing boats through the whole Canal Grande, as well accompanied by the parade of the decorative boats, on board with the costumed attendants.

Hopping on the boat

I used to be the audience, usually, though this year Intended to create a photo series capturing the preparation of a team attending the parade of Regata Storica(in non-competitive section) – Remiera del San Francesco Della Vigna.

Venice has numerous sports clubs, where one can assign himself, to learn to row in Venetian style and to practise this as a leisure activity or a few times in a year to attend the competition. Rowing is part of the Venetian DNA, as the city is born thanks and on the water. Maybe the commerce is not flowing through the water that much anymore, but thanks to sports enthusiasts, this pleasant and healthy matter keeps surviving.

Annually since hundreds of years ago, Regata Storica takes place on the first Sunday of September, which was in the past accompanied by the presence of Doge and of course, festivities. What does it mean to attend a Regata Storica? There are no tickets for these events, nor official seats.

The audience and citizens are casually sitting all around Canal Grande and Bacino di San Marco, cheering and applauding attendants. This year, I was lucky not to be only the audience, but to see the Regata Storica from the board of red Caorlina boat, navigated by the team of Remiera di San Francesco.

How does the preparation look like? As being in the non-competitive section, guys and lady arrived in a good mood at Arsenale, docks where these boats are stored and moved the boat to the still water of Arsenale.

Then, placing "forcole" to the right spot and checking if all goes fine. Every rower has a slightly different "forcola", respecting the height of the rower and the type of the vessel. In this case, the boat was typical caorlina – the shape or type of the boat with a more robust shape, that was in the past meant to transport vegetables and fruit to Venice from Caorle.

After setting up the boat, the team started casually practising and we parked in front of Arsenale, to expect the start of the race. While we were waiting until the decorative parade boats would take their position, visitors of the city, sitting nearby our parked caorlina would ask us a few questions. Questions such as "what is this all about", "who is Marco" and "what is the best place to see the race". We were all happy to answer, as to share the day with an accidental new friends.

On the other side, these should be the questions ansered properly by the organizer with an amazing campaign promoting Venetian sports, culture and this particular day. Just a humble opinion.

Back to basics, why is actually Regata Storica Celebrated?

Regattas and different boat races were present in Venetian history, being part of the ceremonials celebrating La Serenissima, or being organized upon arrival of the important guests to Venice. Regata Storica that we have still a chance to experience is one of the last major surviving Venetian traditions. Being excellent on the boat was a needed part of Venetian society – as La Serenissima was a maritime superpower, being ready to „row“ and to prove a physical power, health was important aspect of the expectations of the Venetian men. Not a bad idea, is it?

On the board during Regata Storica

Being on board with one of the clubs of Venetian fans of this sport was a precious experience. The members of the club genuinely love the Lagoon, enjoy doing the sport and like this, they are keeping this beautiful tradition alive. It was beautiful to observe the preparation, then taking part in the symbolic parade accompanied by decorated traditional boats.

Regata Storica in the recent years

The boat race is in recent years divided into these categories or sections. The afternoon starts usually around 16:00 with the symbolic presentation with decorated traditional rowing boats. You would see costumed people, boats featuring Venetian motifs and opulent decor.

After, the races of men, women would start on Canal Grande. The racers compete utilizing the „Caorlina“ boat, which has a robust long body and is being used by 6 people, while one of them serves as the „navigator“.

While walking in Venice, one can spot some of these boats, which can be used for practising rowing.

After, a „formula 1“ boats – „Gondolino“ follow, where one can see the wild speed while racers row in rather small boats, enabling fast manoeuvres.

Usually, the audience of the race knows who is racing on which boats. If you are just a casual visitor of Venice, you would simply choose your „colour “ of the team and you would cheer for them! Or, like many other people, you would cheer them all by clapping.

Winning or enjoying?

I believe, for the racers, it is important to win the race. As the audience member, I believe all of them deserve a great thank you, for not only keeping the tradition alive but to be bringing the spirit of the competition and sporty support to Lagoon.

It was not only cute but filled with hope, when after the race was finished, a very young children passed by while rowing casually, as if navigating the boat was a natural part of the movement.

Attending next Regata Storica as a racer

In case someone would love to compete during this historical event, a subscription to one of the clubs would be needed. Then, a lot of practising and fun on the board, learning about different types of boats, getting better and knowing how to navigate in the precious canals of Venice.

Attending Regata Storica as an audience

Regata Storica in Venice offers a few more „collateral events“ related to this occasion, which are usually announced on the official web of the Regata. However, they are not incredibly promoted or attended by the visitors of Venice. The event takes place annually, on the 1st Sunday of September.

For the main race or the Regata Storica, make sure to take your spot around Canal Grande, which means often sitting on the ground. Please note, there are no special facilities for this occasion. During the event of Regata Storica, the water bus services and gondoliers to have paused service, so there is nothing else to do, just to enjoy the surviving tradition and its Venetian atmosphere.

If you want to live Venice, its passion, joy, unpredicted emotions, do not miss the Regata Storica on the next occasions.

Photos, text: Karolinska 2021

Grazie mille, Remiera Francescana

https://www.remierafrancescana.org/