Venice Water Sports: Discover traditions through a cultural kayak class
4.9
34 Ratings
Venezia
Experience the rich tradition of water sports in Venice through a cultural kayak class. Explore the city from a unique perspective, learn about its history and traditions, and paddle 4-5 kilometers in a group or as a single kayaker.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Fondamente Nove, 6576 - Five-kilometer workout for adults in groups, couples or single kayakers.

The city of Venice has a rich tradition of water sports, and we invite you to explore it by participating in them. With our sports skills and cultural knowledge, we engage our guests in city exploration from another perspective
What is the program of the class?
Visit to the rowing club;
Paddling instructions;
Training on water.

How many kilometers will we paddle?
We will do 5 kilometers.

NB: Paddling is a sport and requires skills, experience in water sports or other sports. Make sure you meet the requirements and have a paddling experience.

What's Included
  • Guide
  • Kayaks
  • Paddles
  • Life jackets
  • Photo service
Additional Information

Exercise session of five kilometers suitable for groups of adults, pairs or individual kayakers.

Venice is a city with a deep heritage of aquatic sports, we encourage you to discover this by taking part. Combining our expertise in sports and cultural awareness, we offer our guests an alternate viewpoint of the city that merges culture and athletics. You’ll take part in a fundamental group kayaking course outside the city’s perimeter, get acquainted with the local residents, and pay a visit to an age-old rowing society. Engaging in this unique experience will allow you to gain insights into the city’s historical customs and traditions.

How far will we be paddling in total?
The session is set for 2 hours and within this timeframe, we will cover a distance of 5 kilometers.
Note: Remember that paddling is a physical activity that demands aptitude and past experience in aquatic or other sports. Ensure you qualify and have had previous paddling exposure.

  • On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
  • Physical exertion is required on our classes, they are sporty. You should have experts/medium paddling skills. You should be in suitable physical condition (each paddler must be:  less  than 120 kilos for men, less that 100 kilos for women; and be able to enter kayak cabin size 80 cm long and 40 cm wide) and mental condition to participate in sports activities, including dangerous ones, and to be free from any impediment disorders. People with serious disabilities and pregnant women after the third month will not be accepted. People with serious disabilities and pregnant women after the third month will not be accepted.
  • Two double kayaks are provided for each class. When there are only adults in a group, the guide decides on the spot who uses the double kayak based on their physical abilities.

  • The class can be cancelled by the instructor in the following cases: 1. Bad weather conditions: strong winds, rain, fog, lightning and tornadoes, events, demonstrations, strikes or other conditions that make the class unsafe or impossible. A trainee will be contacted to arrange a rescheduling for the cancelled class. 2. If a trainee arrives drunk or drugged. 3. If a trainee does not meet the requirements mentioned above.
  • During the classes, we often encounter waves of one foot (30 - 40cm) as well as other boat traffic.

  • The class can be rescheduled by the instructor if there are any changes in working hours or internal works in the club in connection with important sporting events or any other circumstances related to the club’s internal processes.

  • Paddling is a sport activity. It requires strength, concentration, attention, and a positive state of mind and body, so make sure you’re prepared. Before the class, rest, do some exercises to warm up your muscles, don’t overeat or drink alcohol. Get ready to do sports physically and morally!

  • Don’t use your phone or camera while you are paddling. It’s prohibited to use phones or cameras during the class, you will have to leave it in a locker. The instructor will take pictures for you and send them to you after the class. It’s okay if you film on a Go Pro or camera attached to a hat or life jacket, since you can paddle freely.
    • Children between the ages of 8 and 17 are welcome to participate in the class, but only in one double kayak with their parents or instructors (i.e., they cannot sail alone).
Location
Fondamente Nove, 6576
Fondamente Nove
We will meet at the entrance to Reale Società Canottieri Querini. If you need help finding the place, you can call us. Please, arrive 15 minutes early.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(34 Ratings)
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Kimbr1964iw
Oct 1, 2023
Kayaking in Venice - We had an amazing kayak tour with Cao Rio on the Venice canals. Great to experience canals that can’t be reached by foot and seeing the buildings from a different perspective. Nick was a fantastic guide, very informative about the history of Venice. Highly recommend this trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Relax51528127181
Sep 23, 2023
Great way of seeing Venice, but the minimum experience in kayaking is required. - This is a great way to see Venice from unusual angle and to get the real feeling of the city. You see how this amazing city functions, you see the buty of the old buildings....unforgettable. This is also a good way of combining some physical activity with site seeing. However, I have to give a warning here: in order to have a pleasant and enjoyable trip, you must at least to be able to keep your kayak on course and do the basic manoeuvring without a problem. In other words, you should have at least few hours of kayaking under your belt. The kayaks we used in a tour were a kind of large white water kayaks, 1- and 2- seaters. They are stable, easy to manage, but the technique they require is closer to a white water paddling (no rudder).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maho82
Sep 2, 2023
Amazing tour - Amazing tour, amazing guide, amazing city - an unforgettable tour. I can highly recommend this. You will see venice with other eyes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juliedbirmingham
Aug 28, 2023
Venice from a different view - What a fabulous way to see the quieter places in Venice. We had a lovely 2 hours kayaking the canals away from the crowds. We were looked after and guided really well and given great information about Venice, the parts you often don't see on a general visit. We felt that we got to see a lot of the non touristy Venice and was so much more fun than taking a gondola ride fir example. We were lucky that there was just the 2 of us on the trip, we went in a double kayak and were guided well. Would recommend this to others definitely x
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Rob
Aug 13, 2023
Cultural Kayak Tour in Venice - Wow, what an experience, a truly amazing way to see Venice. The instruction on how to handle the kayak and history lesson given during our time with them was spot on. I haven’t kayaked for 30 plus years and my kids have not kayaked before, but this wasn’t a problem. The Canottieri Querini boating club is steeped in history and the staff are amazing. The experience will stay we me forever, how many people can say they have kayaked around Venice I would highly recommend them without hesitation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jordanhoppenheim
Jul 30, 2023
Vacation kayak on the canals - Nicolo and Aleksandra were both amazing guides and very knowledgable. We did a 630pm kayak and the sun set at the perfect time to end the activity. They took great photos and taught us history about Venice and how to recognize certain architecture. I would highly recommend doing this activity but keep in mind that it is definetely physical demanding and be ready to use a lot of arm strength.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tracy
Jul 26, 2023
Absolutely Wonderful Tour! - My 18-year old son and I had an amazing experience on the Cultural Kayak Tour. I cannot imagine a better way to see and learn about Venice. We were able to see the city and all of its beauty from the unique perspective of being in the water. This is an experience that should not be missed; I could not recommend Cao Rio more highly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Angela_w
Oct 8, 2023
Don’t leave your camera behind - The actual tour was great and the staff was friendly. All of us on the tour were told that we had to leave our waterproof bags and phones behind, it was very strongly insisted. Total BS, we missed the chance for fantastic photos from a really unique perspective. The guide took his and did take a few posed pictures of us but I was very disappointed at missing the chance to take my own. Also none of us had sunscreen or snacks, just a single water bottle each. The paddling was at a pretty fast pace through tight crowded canals and some extremely choppy and congested open water. Definitely worth doing, but take a small waterproof bag with your own camera/phone.
Review provided by Viator
Anne
Aug 8, 2023
Good way to see Venice. - A good novel way to see some of Venice. The other two times I have been to Venice there was no option of kayaking through it's canals. We got a rundown of the history of rowing in Venice, then we went on the kayaks ourselves. When you book the experience it doesn't tell you that kids below a certain age are required to ride with an adult, although this is flexible. The guide was nice but has not to date sent us the photo he took of us. I'll have to chase him. Also, the guide initially suggested two routes, one was largely in the lagoon. But the lagoon was very busy with large boats and very choppy. I think they should be aware that being out on the open lagoon with larger boats is more hazardous and less enjoyable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
6mrv
Aug 17, 2023
Check The Group Size and Take Your Own Camera - The couple that run this event are really lovely. Very helpful and knowledgeable. The kayaks are what most people would consider to be canoes. Your legs are enclosed. If you have a little experience of kayaking you will be OK. The best part was crossing the lagoon to enter the canals, and the return to the boat club, from which the event runs. We travelled some canals with no pedestrian access which was interesting. Before you book, check how many other people will be in the group. We were unlucky in that some of the other kayakers had zero experience. So the first hour felt like we were watching a kayaking lesson. This hampered progress and was rather frustrating. You will be advised to leave your phones and cameras in a secure locker. Photos were supposed to be taken by the guide. Unfortunately only one picture was taken, which was disappointing. So take your own camera.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 6 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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