End of Season at the Diadora

Today we had the end of season event at the Diadora rowing club, where I should have spent a lot more time this summer.

Most of the morning was taken up by ‘social’ regattas for each of the types of rowing practiced in the club, both ‘English’ rowing (backwards in various types of boats), and Venetian rowing, voga alla veneta (standing up looking forwards).

The Venetian race was held in sandoli a quattro. The eight boats were same boats as are used in the official regattas throughout the summer. They’re all numbered and differently coloured, so they’re easier to distinguish at a distance. I was in the violet boat, number 3, with Silvia, Rollo and Alessandro.

Silvia is an accomplished rower, who have participated in races many times, so she knew exactly what to do and when. The rest of us were all more or less beginners, so Silvia’s coaching was much needed. I was a prua, in the front.

Getting ready

Fitting the forcolas on the boats.

Wading around on the boats.

Launching

Getting everybody on board

Waiting

Getting the hang of the boat

Spectators

Waiting for the start

Milling about …

in one of the most beautiful spots on this globe

Still waiting for the start

The last boats are coming out

Racing

Well, no photos, as I was rowing like a madman having Silvia in the back shouting orders at us continuously 🙂

The start didn’t come off perfectly, but we managed to keep up with the leading boats, and after the first 500m we rounded the buoy second. Silvia was shrewd enough to move us into the canal along the Lido, as the tidal flow there would help us. At that time we were second, so I don’t know what the boats behind us did. I assume they did the same.

As we reached the finishing line I was completely out of breath and my legs were shaking, but Silvia paced us on mercilessly, and we finished the race in good order between the firsts.