Venetian standing rowing lesson in Cannaregio

What it is

In Venice you row standing up and facing forward, like the gondoliers: it is the voga alla veneta. In this lesson you learn it yourself, in a traditional wooden batela with an instructor from Row Venice. First you practise the stroke with the boat moored; then you head out along the quiet canals of Cannaregio, rowing in turns. It is not a gondola ride: you hold the oar yourself, and that is why it is remembered.

Who runs it

Row Venice, a sports organisation of Venetian rowing instructors (Row Venice Srl Sportiva Dilettantistica), which teaches all year round, departing from Cannaregio. Lessons are private: the boat is for your group.

The options and prices

Prices per boat, according to the Row Venice website:

• Classic lesson, 80 minutes. In a four-seat batela: €100 for two people, €130 for three, €150 for four; on national and international holidays, €160 for one to four people. In a five-seat batela: €220 on weekdays and €280 on holidays.
• Cicchetto Row, 2 h 15 min: you row and stop at two bàcari, the Venetian wine bars, for cicchetti and a drink, with or without alcohol, and ice cream for the children. €225 for one person, €265 for two, €325 for three, €375 for four and €500 for five. Best if you have no dietary restrictions.
• Rowing on the Grand Canal, 80 minutes, leaving via side canals to the Grand Canal, next to the market and under the Rialto bridge. Sundays and holidays, €160 for one to four people; in the late afternoon-evening, €180.
• Squero & Cicchetto Row, on request: includes a 30-minute guided visit to a historic squero, a gondola boatyard from 1560 that operated until 1920. €400 for up to four people.

Times

The classic lesson leaves between 10:00 and 16:00, and from April to October also at 8:30. The Cicchetto Row leaves at 17:30 from June to August, at 11:30 and 17:30 in spring and autumn, and at 11:30 from November to March. The evening Grand Canal, at 20:00 in summer and 17:30 in winter. The specific slots can be seen on the booking calendar.

How to book

Online, on the Row Venice booking page, preferably more than 24 hours in advance. They also respond by chat, WhatsApp (+39 344 7900 576) and email. Book early: if the weather forces a change, you will have room for another date.

Meeting point

At Cannaregio 3541, on the Fondamenta Gasparo Contarini, next to the small marina at the Sacca della Misericordia. Search for "Row Venice" on your phone map; the confirmation includes directions. From Fondamente Nove, where the vaporetti to the northern islands leave, it is a few minutes' walk.

Age, fitness and what to bring

There is no minimum age. Children under 4 do not pay and can row with their parents; those aged 4 and 5 row with an adult or the instructor, and from age 6 they can row alone if they concentrate. Three children aged 9 or under count as two people. Weight and height do not matter; agility for getting in, getting out and moving around the boat does. A folding wheelchair fits on board if the person can board without it.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing, flexible footwear, a hat and water; they provide umbrellas. If it is cool, dress in layers: rowing warms you up quickly and sitting you cool down. The boats are stable and you don't get wet unless you want to.

If the weather is bad

There is no rowing in heavy rain or, often, in wind of 20 km/h or more. If bad weather is forecast the day before, Row Venice writes to you to change the date; if not, they decide an hour before. If the lesson is cancelled altogether, they refund the amount minus €5 handling.