This event originated 33 years ago with the aim of making Venetians aware of the problem of swell created by engine-powered boats, thanks to the initiative of a group of Venetians who were lovers of rowing and of the traditions of the Serenissima. Since then the number of participants, especially from abroad, has continued to grow, with entries totalling up to 1500 boats. In the morning a large number of boats of every type and shape gather in St. Mark's Basin opposite the Doge's Palace to await the start; they then set off on a roughly 30 kilometre long course that winds its way among the lagoon islands before returning to Venice along the Rio di Cannaregio to finish at the Punta della Dogana. The success of this event not only encouraged the creation of rowing clubs but also stimulated the then dying crafts of boat restoration and construction. Participation in the Vogalonga, a non-competitive event, is also an opportunity for everyone to rediscover the lagoon, its landscapes and its habitat.