What a multi-sensory adventure unfolded for our intrepid local dragon boat paddlers Ann Bolton, Heather McAlpine, Ann Harrison and Julie Campbell.

Dragons Downunder competing in the Venice Vogalonga. Photo credit: Heather McAlpine.

There were chaotic scenes as over 2,000 non-motorised craft, including traditional Venetian rowing boats, racing skulls, kayaks, gondolas, stand-up paddlers and our Dragons Downunder team lined up. There was argy-bargy and jockeying for position as we awaited the starter's cannon. The number of different countries represented proved that 'colourful language ' had the same multilingual impact across all cultures. 

There were also near misses, and some boats capsized. But amidst all this was a palpable sense of shared enthusiasm and life celebration. Finally, the cannon boom echoed across the Venice lagoon entrance, and the event could begin.

Carnival atmosphere. Photo credit: Heather McAlpine.

The field spread out as we made our way across the lagoon, around the island of Burano and through the central canal of Murano. By now, the hard work of paddling through the exposed open water kicked in as well as the side effects of trying to keep hydrated, so we had a quick pit stop on a deserted island…

Thirty-three kilometres later, the highlight was the final push to the finish line through the Grand Canal and under the Rialto Bridge. There were cheers from the crowds hugging the canal edges and every bridge; locals banging saucepans from top floor balconies and the customary "Aussie, Aussie" chant from random Australian tourists as we passed them by.

The Venice Vogalonga 2024 poster. Photo credit: Heather McAlpine.

As we wound down while returning our hired dragon boat (which answers the most common question we were asked prior to leaving, "Do you put the dragon boat down the aisle on the plane?"), we reflected on the camaraderie that we had formed as 20 paddlers representing different clubs from the Illawarra, Moruya, Narooma and Jindabyne.

There was a sense of pride in waving the Aussie flag through our five-hour journey, and a yearning for an appropriate limoncello celebration. Salute!

Written by Heather McAlpine.