Each year, the Italian city of Venice hosts the ‘Vogalonga’ but in 2020, the Venetians cancelled the Vogalonga, because of a certain global pandemic… and so Goolwa took up the mantle with the Vogalonga Down Unda.

Officially scheduled for April 2020, the Vogalonga Down Unda was postponed, and eventually took place over the October long weekend.

A paddling and rowing regatta with a difference will take place at Goolwa on May 16.

Event co-ordinator Michael Piovesan says, just like its Venetian namesake, the Australian event is “a non-competitive rowing and paddling regatta for any human-powered craft”.

“Canoes, kayaks, skiffs, sculls and SUPs, dragon boats and dinghies are all eligible… virtually anything without a motor or sails powered only by hand or foot,” he says.

Mr Piovesan has previously lived in Treviso near Venice, and participated in three Vogalongas in Venice in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Now, he is proud to have brought the concept to Australia.

“The Vogalonga Down Unda is helping Goolwa build on its already well-established links with Italy,” Mr Piovesan says.

“Not only through Goolwa’s many local residents of Italian origin, but also the vibrant and highly active community organisation Cittaslow Goolwa Inc. which has already put Goolwa on the world map by becoming the first town in Australasia to be officially designated a ‘slow town’”.

Participants in the Vogalonga Down Unda will set off from Goolwa Aquatic Club at 9am, and will have the choice of three courses of varying lengths.

Each course will start with a ceremonial procession, incorporating the entire Vogalonga fleet from the GAC to the wharf precinct.

Mr Piovesan thanked Alexandrina Council for its support of the Vogalonga Down Unda through a council grant, as well as all businesses for sponsorship, including major sponsor, Lakeside Goolwa.

He says, as with any fabulous Italian event, lunch is included in the participant fee, with pasta among the options.

For more information, or to register, people can visit www.vogalongadownunda.net.au.