Venice rowing lesson

Our very physically fit 14 and 17 year old granddaughters did Row Venice two weeks ago. It was a great experience for them but they said the standing and balancing, not the actual rowing for 90 minutes was tiring. At first one GD rowed while a guide (they had 2) steered. Then the other GD rowed while the guide steered. Once they were out of the back canal they went into the lagoon near where various boats go back and forth to the islands. Once out in the lagoon they handled the steering and the rowing. They loved the 90 minute experience and would do it again.

Our 13 year old fit granddaughter did Row Venice last year, and my late 70’s husband did it too. I sat and took the videos! It was one of the highlights of our trip. They still talk about it.

My husband did Row Venice for two sessions and loved it. He is very strong and an expert canoeist and rows for an hour on the rowing machine at our gym. And he speaks Italian quite well. He found rowing the Venetian boat (I forget the name --- it's not a gondola, but like a gondola) enjoyably and surprisingly challenging --- it's a whole different motion and there's no oarlock so you have to keep the oar in a notch. And, yes, it is strenuous. Row Venice allowed me to be a passenger, which I thought was nice of them. The Row Venice teachers were kindly and supportive and very good at their jobs --- all women, I believe.

We did Row Venice this summer with our teenage kids. It was fun and makes you appreciate the work the gondoliers do. The lessons were all being taught by women and we really liked it. You row on side canals without a lot of other boat traffic. No one in my family complained about it being too strenuous. The person who teaches also will help you row/steer if you need assistance. Enjoy!