From Italy to Switzerland and back

The annual World Rowing Tour is a chance for recreational rowers of all nationalities to come together and discover new areas of the world from a different perspective. The tour blends sightseeing, rowing, fitness and friendship in an irresistible mix.

It is protocol during the tour that that all participants row with a different crew every day. Apart from the captain, they should not row in the same boat as anyone else from their country and everyone in the boat should take turns coxing. Going on the world rowing tour is, in large part, socialising with the world through rowing.

“This year we had 18 countries represented from 6 continents,” says Warwick Marler, member of FISA’s Rowing for All Commission. “For the first time we had representatives from South Africa and India.”

Daily rowing distances around the lake, representing a surface of 220 square kilometres, were about 30km. “Highlights of this year’s edition included rowing past the beautiful monastery of Santa Caterina del Sasso and around the Borromean Islands,” says Marler. “We enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of towns and rowing and canoe clubs all around the lake.”

Organisers were also very pleased with the success of the event, which was due largely to the help of several rowing clubs, sailing clubs and local authorities, according to Luigi Manzo, President of Canottieri Luino, the rowing club that organised the event. “I believe that Italy as much as the Italian Rowing Federation has made a really good impression on the world,” Manzo says.

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Rowers had the opportunity to test their skills in a variety of weather conditions, with the week-long event being met with a range of sunny days with no wind to rainy days with strong wind. “We had the full coastal rowing experience!” says Marler. “The boats were up to the challenge and every crew displayed the seamanship required to complete the job safely and without incident.”

The 2015 tour was sponsored by boat manufacturer Filippi, who provided 12 boats – their latest model of the racing coxed quads. The boats included innovations, such as a drop-in fin and foot-controlled rudder to assist sharp turning. “They proved to be very suitable for touring,” says Marler.

“The organisation of the whole tour – both on and off the water – was absolutely first class and is a tribute to the organising committee,” says Marler. “All participants had a most memorable experience.”

Participants were also invited to give to the Kafue River & Rowing Centre, by donating 10 Euro they received a free World Rowing water bottle. A total of 427 Euro was donated to the project following the event. For more information, click here.

For more photos from the event, have a look at their Facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/lagomaggiorerowingtour

Stay tuned to www.worldrowing.com for upcoming information about the 2016 World Rowing Tour.