IoERC takes on the Vogalonga in Venice 2024
Two intrepid Ely crews tackled one of the world’s biggest and best regattas on Sunday 19th May 2024 in Venice, Italy. This annual festival, the ‘Vogalonga’ (meaning the ‘long row’), is a celebration of Venice’s devotion and respect for its beautiful waterways and a peaceful protest against the ecological and structural damage caused by motorised craft. All manner of craft can participate, providing they are moved by muscle-power alone! Six of Ely’s W1 squad rose to the challenge, five in a 4x+ and one in an inflatable kayak. The 30km journey was long and hard in the Italian sunshine, but it was a successful and stunning voyage that will live long in our memories!
The organised chaos — 2000 boats powered by almost 8000 people from all around the world — saw some wide stretches of the lagoon providing peaceful steady paddling water; whereas, in contrast, some sections of the Grand Canal became a total logjam necessitating the help of frogmen to guide the boats safely through.
We all came home with medals of participation, a huge sense of achievement, new international rowing friends, new blisters, a sun tan, and a slight hangover from all the delights that Venice has to offer. We hope that our fellow rowers will be inspired to represent IOERC at even more regattas near and far!
Huge thanks to Volker and his team at Coastal Boats and Rowing in Europe for the boat hire.
In the spirit of respect and love for our own waterways, our crew set up a fundraising page for The Rivers Trust, to restore our UK waterways to their former glory. We send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all our sponsors!
Jason Harre
