It all started with a group of friends doing a mascarete regatta on Saint Martin’s Day in 1974. At that time, in a world that was increasingly turning towards motorboats, there were only a few people interested in Venetian rowing. Infact, besides the rowers, other friends were involved, among whom were Lauro Bergamo, then editor-in-chief of Il Gazzettino, Toni Rosa Salva, active in the world of regattas from time immemorial, and Giuseppe Rosa Salva, well-known for his commitment to protect Venice. And that is how it was conceived to organize a non-competitive regatta, inviting amateurs and all those who had ‘boated their oars’ for too long in order to join against the deterioration of the city and wave-motion, as well as to resume Venetian traditions. This spontaneous and sincere impulse gave origin to the Vogalonga adventure, first announced on January 26th, 1975, and actively promoted by the committee whose members are: Lauro Bergamo, Carlo Gottardi, Delfo Utimpergher, Lilly Sirolla and the Rosa Salvas (Toni, Lalo, Pino and Paolo).