of the most famous wooden motorboats in the world
Around 50 wooden Riva motorboats, coming from over 10 nations, will meet in Venice from 28 June to 3 July 2024 on the occasion of the annual Riva Days, the international gathering of the most famous motor boats in the history of pleasure boating. The event, called “Riva Days – Marco Polo” to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the death of the Venetian explorer of the same name, is organized by the Riva Historical Society, the international Federation that brings together around 700 shipowners from all over the world. The impressive fleet, which will be based at the Marina Santelena, will visit the northern lagoon and the most famous locations such as Burano, Murano, Torcello and the Lido. On Sunday morning, June 30th, the great parade will take place in the San Marco Basin together with the vintage sails that have arrived to race for the Principality of Monaco Trophy in Venice.
A FLEET OF HISTORIC MOTORBOATS AT THE “RIVA DAYS” IN VENICE
Riva motorboats return to the most famous lagoon city in the world on the occasion of the “Riva Days – Marco Polo, ASI NAUTIC SHOW – Concorso d’Eleganza Frederique Constant”, the latter being the main sponsor of the event. From 28 June to 3 July 2024, a fleet of almost 50 wooden motorboats, built by the Riva shipyard between 1958 and 1996, will be based at the Marina Santelena, in the Stadium area not far from the Giardini della Biennale. The boats will arrive from 12 countries: Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Holland, England, Norway, Finland, Luxembourg, the Principality of Monaco and the USA. The event is organized by the Riva Historical Society, the international Federation that brings together 13 departments, from Sweden to Great Britain, from Norway to Catalonia, with around 700 members from over 30 countries on five continents. Founded in 1998, it is chaired by the Milanese architect Piero Maria Gibellini. Sponsors of the rally are Bavaria Assicurazioni and ASI, the Italian Historic Automotoclub which on this occasion will award the ASI Cup, with technical sponsors Vitale Barberis Canonico, YCV (Yacht Club Venezia) and Marina Santelena. Every day the imposing fleet will explore the beauties of Venice, sailing between the northern lagoon and the islands of Burano, Murano, Torcello, Mazzorbo, Poveglia, the Lido and Pellestrina. Stops, cultural visits and excursions are planned.
A FLEET OF HISTORIC MOTORBOATS AT THE “RIVA DAYS” IN VENICE
Riva motorboats return to the most famous lagoon city in the world on the occasion of the “Riva Days – Marco Polo, ASI NAUTIC SHOW – Concorso d’Eleganza Frederique Constant”, the latter being the main sponsor of the event. From 28 June to 3 July 2024, a fleet of almost 50 wooden motorboats, built by the Riva shipyard between 1958 and 1996, will be based at the Marina Santelena, in the Stadium area not far from the Giardini della Biennale. The boats will arrive from 12 countries: Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Holland, England, Norway, Finland, Luxembourg, the Principality of Monaco and the USA. The event is organized by the Riva Historical Society, the international Federation that brings together 13 departments, from Sweden to Great Britain, from Norway to Catalonia, with around 700 members from over 30 countries on five continents. Founded in 1998, it is chaired by the Milanese architect Piero Maria Gibellini. Sponsors of the rally are Bavaria Assicurazioni and ASI, the Italian Historic Automotoclub which on this occasion will award the ASI Cup, with technical sponsors Vitale Barberis Canonico, YCV (Yacht Club Venezia) and Marina Santelena. Every day the imposing fleet will explore the beauties of Venice, sailing between the northern lagoon and the islands of Burano, Murano, Torcello, Mazzorbo, Poveglia, the Lido and Pellestrina. Stops, cultural visits and excursions are planned.
RIVA MODELS IN VENICE
At Riva Days 2024, all the most important Riva motorboat models will parade, starting with the iconic Aquarama, produced since 1962, of which 12 will arrive in Venice. As many as 15 Tritone and Ariston models, both marketed starting from 1950, arriving at the Florida born two years later and gradually all the others, the Olympic (1969), the Rudy (1972) and the Junior (1966) . Right at the Riva Olympic La bella vita and at the Aquarama Special Maud II and Grifone, all built in 1974, the privilege of celebrating half a century since their launch on the occasion of this great event. The Riva Florida Tender To Rhea from 1958 will be the oldest participating vessel, while the Aquarama Special Riva Classiche from 1996 will be the most recent, owned by the Riva shipyard.
SUNDAY’S PARADE WITH VINTAGE SAILS AND THE ELEGANCE COMPETITION
It will be an extraordinary spectacle that will be presented to anyone walking along the banks in front of the San Marco Basin on Sunday 30 June 2024. Around 11 am, the Riva fleet will take part in the great parade together with the vintage sailing boats that are competing in the eleventh edition of the “Principato di Monaco Trophy in Venice – Le Vele d’Epoca in Laguna”.
Around midday, upon returning to Marina Santelena, the Rivas will take part in the “Marco Polo” themed Frederique Constant Elegance Competition, dedicated to the 700th anniversary of the death of the Venetian explorer and author of “Il Milione”. It was precisely thanks to this manuscript, the detailed account of the journey undertaken along the Silk Road to China, that greater knowledge was developed between Asia and Europe which two centuries later Christopher Columbus himself drew on to plan his explorations of the seas. The seamanship test scheduled for Sunday afternoon will decide the winner of the ASI Cup. The following day, Monday 1 July at 7pm, the presentation of the new book by RHS president Piero Maria Gibellini “I Celli da Viareggio a Venezia”, dedicated to the history and naval production of the well-known Venetian shipyard, will take place at the Marina Santelena.
Text and photo by Paolo Maccione
