"Vogalonga": the traditional regatta in Venice.

The "Vogalonga" is a non-competitive sporting event held every year in the Venice lagoon that gathers "rowing" enthusiasts here. It was born almost as a joke by a group of friends who on St. Martin's Day in 1974 decided to challenge each other to a race in their rowing boats to protest against motor boats and wave motion in the city. Since then, rowers have been crossing from St. Mark's Basin to the islands and the most picturesque places in the lagoon along a route of about 30km.