SUSTAINABLE SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE AUTHENTIC VENICE
Jump in the canal!
Our Activities
About Us
We are Nicolò and Aleksandra, citizens of Venice and a young couple. Our future is in our hands, and we're responsible for making the difference in the city we live in.
Nicolò
Caoduro
Born in 1989, Doctor of Cultural Tourism Planning and Management, environmental hiking guide, tour leader (associated Assoguide) and basic technician (F.I.C.K.), rowing trainer (F.I.C.S.F.)
Founder, environmental guide, kayaking and Venetian rowing instructor
Aleksandra
Belousova
Born in 1994, has a degree in performative arts production and worked in theaters, museums and educational programs. Aleksandra is currently enrolled at the Ca' Foscari University of Venice.
Activities coordinator and community manager
About Us
We are members of one of the oldest rowing societies in the city, Reale Società Canottieri Querini, where we practice water sports every day.
discover preserve Venice with us
We organize sustainable sports and cultural activities for Venetians, new residents, and travelers. Our rowing and paddling trainings, naturalistic and walking tours, and regular cleanups are available for everyone.
Throughout these activities, we introduce our guests to Venice's contemporary life, explore the lagoon with eco-friendly kayaks and boats, tell the city's history, and connect with its unique water sports traditions.
Оur guests
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REVIEWS
More reviews on
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Silvia Boselli
SEPTEMBER 2023
Dire che Nicolò e Aleksandra siano SUPER è poco! sono veneziana e ho voluto provare questa splendida esperienza. Si può assaporare e conoscere Venezia in un modo unico e indimenticabile con una guida esperta, paziente e molto competente (sia dal punto di vista naturalistico che storico). Questa sì che è una VERA esperienza! Da consigliare al 100%!!!!
Maud Darbois
AUGUST 2023
Une tres belle expérience.
La visite est passionnante, le kayak dans les canaux c’est dément. Cela donne à réfléchir sur l’influence des bateaux à moteurs sur cette lagune magnifique. Merci Nicolo et Alessandra pour l’accueil, c’est promis nous reviendrons
Nicolo parle parfaitement français
La visite est passionnante, le kayak dans les canaux c’est dément. Cela donne à réfléchir sur l’influence des bateaux à moteurs sur cette lagune magnifique. Merci Nicolo et Alessandra pour l’accueil, c’est promis nous reviendrons
Nicolo parle parfaitement français
4.9
Lidia FP
JuLY 2023
Fantastic experience and highly recommended! The lagoon tour allows you to immerse yourself in its ecosystem in an innovative and sustainable way, and the explanations given are truly rich and interesting. Even the "voga e neta" is highly recommended for taking care of the city. Beautiful experience also from a human point of view: Aleksandra and Nicolò are really welcoming and helpful, and they care about the future of Venice!
5.0
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discover &preserve Venice with us
Prepare for your water sports activities
FAQ
Please read the Terms and Conditions and check out experience and physical requirements carefully before you book. If you have any questions, contact us in advance.
Physical exertion is required on our classes, they are sporty. Make sure you check out the experience requirements. For the kayaking classes marked as "intermediate level" or "advanced level," you should know how to paddle or row a kayak, canoe, or other small rowed or paddled boat. During the classes, we often encounter waves of one foot (30 - 40 cm ) as well as other boat traffic.
You should be in suitable physical condition (each paddler must be less 120 kilos for men and 100 kilos for women and be able to enter kayak cabin size 80 cm long and 40 cm wide).
People with serious disabilities and pregnant women after the third month will not be accepted.
You should be in suitable physical condition (each paddler must be less 120 kilos for men and 100 kilos for women and be able to enter kayak cabin size 80 cm long and 40 cm wide).
People with serious disabilities and pregnant women after the third month will not be accepted.
Kayaking classes:
Youth between the ages of 13 and 17 are welcome to participate in all group kayaking classes for intermediate and advanced levels (Cultural and Sunset classes), but only in one double kayak with their parents or instructor (i.e., they cannot sail alone). You can find the minimum age range for each activity in its description,or by contacting us as well. Make sure you have the right kayaking experience for each class!
Two children per group between the ages of 8 and 12 can participate in Naturalistic kayaking classes, but only in the same double kayak with their parents or instructor (i.e., they cannot sail alone).
Two children per group between the ages of 5 and 12 can participate in Venice Kayaking Class for Beginners and Venice Family Kayaking classes, but only in the same double kayak with their parents or instructor (i.e., they cannot sail alone).
If you're a first-time kayaker, you can book individual lessons by contacting us.
For children's participation, we recommend booking a Venice Family Kayaking class exclusively for your family, since the guide will adapt the class to your level, and you will go at your own pace, only with your family. Contact us directly by phone, WhatsApp or email, and we will arrange a private kayaking experience for your family.
+393773340689, info.caorio@gmail.com.
Rowing training:
Children from 5 years old can participate in rowing training, but only with their parents.
Youth between the ages of 13 and 17 are welcome to participate in all group kayaking classes for intermediate and advanced levels (Cultural and Sunset classes), but only in one double kayak with their parents or instructor (i.e., they cannot sail alone). You can find the minimum age range for each activity in its description,or by contacting us as well. Make sure you have the right kayaking experience for each class!
Two children per group between the ages of 8 and 12 can participate in Naturalistic kayaking classes, but only in the same double kayak with their parents or instructor (i.e., they cannot sail alone).
Two children per group between the ages of 5 and 12 can participate in Venice Kayaking Class for Beginners and Venice Family Kayaking classes, but only in the same double kayak with their parents or instructor (i.e., they cannot sail alone).
If you're a first-time kayaker, you can book individual lessons by contacting us.
For children's participation, we recommend booking a Venice Family Kayaking class exclusively for your family, since the guide will adapt the class to your level, and you will go at your own pace, only with your family. Contact us directly by phone, WhatsApp or email, and we will arrange a private kayaking experience for your family.
+393773340689, info.caorio@gmail.com.
Rowing training:
Children from 5 years old can participate in rowing training, but only with their parents.
We offer a special and perfect option mix of a morning private lesson where you can learn basic skills, get confident, and then join the afternoon/evening group Sunset kayaking class.
When booking online, choose the activity "Venice Kayak Class for Beginners". You can book it online, and if the lesson isn't available on the date you're in Venice, contact us and we'll arrange it. In addition, it's always better for beginners to have a private kayaking class than a group one. Contact us, and we'll arrange a private Sunset kayaking class for you as well.
+393773340689, info.caorio@gmail.com.
When booking online, choose the activity "Venice Kayak Class for Beginners". You can book it online, and if the lesson isn't available on the date you're in Venice, contact us and we'll arrange it. In addition, it's always better for beginners to have a private kayaking class than a group one. Contact us, and we'll arrange a private Sunset kayaking class for you as well.
+393773340689, info.caorio@gmail.com.
One traveler may book one place and join a group class. When there are no other participants for the same time slot, the class becomes private for a single traveler and will cost an additional 20 euros.
We provide you with all basic equipment per person for free: kayaks, boats, oares, paddles, life jackets, watersprays. You should arrive in time with a suitable outfit: sports clothing (preferably synthetic or woolen, not cotton, better waterproof), sport shoes, a hat, and sunglasses. Make sure you have a bottle of water to stay hydrated. Please leave all precious things, phones and documents at the hotel.
Don't use your phone or camera while you are paddling or rowing. It's prohibited to use phones or cameras during the classes, 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 and row freely.
It's okay if you film on a Go Pro or camera attached to a hat or life jacket since you can paddle and row freely.
Yes, please, contact us via email if you plan a group visit: info.caorio@gmail.com
If an activity for a specific day is missing, please contact us, and we will be happy to arrange it for you. Contact us by phone, WhatsApp, or email, let us know when you're coming, how many of you want to participate, and we'll arrange your kayaking, rowing, or walking experience even if it's not on the schedule.
+393773340689, info.caorio@gmail.com
+393773340689, info.caorio@gmail.com
Regular kayaking activities allow a maximum of 6 people. As for Venetian rowing trainings - maximum 2 persons.
We offer multilingual activities with the guide who speak Italian, English, French and Spanish. Customised private activities can be organised in one language, according to the clients' preferences.
Contact us to order a private activity in your language:
+393773340689, info.caorio@gmail.com
We offer multilingual activities with the guide who speak Italian, English, French and Spanish. Customised private activities can be organised in one language, according to the clients' preferences.
Contact us to order a private activity in your language:
+393773340689, info.caorio@gmail.com
The starting point for the classes is: Reale Società Canottieri Querini, Fondamente Nove, 6576, 30122 Venice VE.
It is recommended to arrive 15 minutes before the class starts. If you cannot find us, please call or WhatsApp us at this number: +393773340689.
It is recommended to arrive 15 minutes before the class starts. If you cannot find us, please call or WhatsApp us at this number: +393773340689.
We do around 5 kilometers on the Cultural and Sunset classes. There's the Naturalistic class and we do 10 kilometers.
Paddling and rowing are sports activities. 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!
Get ready to do sports physically and morally!
Cao Rio is a sustainable tourism initiative run by Nicolò Caoduro and Aleksandra Belousova. We are citizens of Venice and a young couple. We have teamed up to build a sustainable future for the city we love and live in.
We bring sports and culture together and organize sustainable activities that show Venice from a unique perspective. Embark on our voyages of discovery in Venice through water sports in an eco-friendly and responsible manner - by kayak, or by traditional boat!
We will bring you to a unique place: the boatyard of one of the most ancient rowing clubs in the city to introduce you to Venetian water sports traditions. This is how you get a feel for the city's spirit and vibe! Sport is history, so explore history through sports as well!
We bring sports and culture together and organize sustainable activities that show Venice from a unique perspective. Embark on our voyages of discovery in Venice through water sports in an eco-friendly and responsible manner - by kayak, or by traditional boat!
We will bring you to a unique place: the boatyard of one of the most ancient rowing clubs in the city to introduce you to Venetian water sports traditions. This is how you get a feel for the city's spirit and vibe! Sport is history, so explore history through sports as well!
Our activities are sports-oriented, but they're also cultural. We will help you improve your kayaking or rowing skills in the canals of Canareggio or Castello districts. There are many authentic, hidden gems in these districts, including romantic medieval and Renaissance churches and palaces; daily life signs like clothes hung over canals that give a certain charm to the city, unique and particular bridges, one of the oldest Medieval Arsenals in the world where historically ships were built and where the city's history lies.
You'll find out what Venice is like as we see it: authentic, mystic, romantic, and true. We'll take you where you can't get walking, and where getting on the water is worth it!
You'll find out what Venice is like as we see it: authentic, mystic, romantic, and true. We'll take you where you can't get walking, and where getting on the water is worth it!
We organise regular clean-ups in the Venetian lagoon, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to reduce plastic pollution in the aquatic environment and protect the flora and fauna. You are welcome to join us; contact us by phone, WhatsApp or email to request an event. Let's preserve Venice together!
+393773340689, info.caorio@gmail.com
+393773340689, info.caorio@gmail.com
Our city and lagoon are UNESCO heritage, so we do our best to reduce negative effects on it. We invite our guests and community members to clean the canals and choose eco-friendly transportation.
Responsible travel for us, as we work with travelers and travel a lot too, is about reflecting on our impact on the places we go. Every city, every park, every beach is someone's home, so we should take care of them as they would our own.
Being a responsible traveler for us means picking up trash in nature spots, supporting local economies, choosing artisan souvenirs instead of fake ones made in China, meeting locals and getting in contact with them to know new cultures and ways to live, is to explore, exchange, give, not just consume.
Responsible travel for us, as we work with travelers and travel a lot too, is about reflecting on our impact on the places we go. Every city, every park, every beach is someone's home, so we should take care of them as they would our own.
Being a responsible traveler for us means picking up trash in nature spots, supporting local economies, choosing artisan souvenirs instead of fake ones made in China, meeting locals and getting in contact with them to know new cultures and ways to live, is to explore, exchange, give, not just consume.
Be respectful of your kayak buddies and citizens' boats on the canals.
In the canals, as in the city streets, we respect each other. Let's take care of other guests in a group, and citizens on the canals. Your instructor knows how to paddle politely among the boats and gondolas. Always follow his instructions, and collaborate with him. “Jump in the canal” is just a slogan, so please do not do it for your safety.
What is more, we invite our trainees to develop more active and sustainable tourism by doing sports, leaving no trace, and what is more, by collecting any rubbish found during the tour. Also, please be respectful of nature and do not damage or remove plants or wildlife.
In the canals, as in the city streets, we respect each other. Let's take care of other guests in a group, and citizens on the canals. Your instructor knows how to paddle politely among the boats and gondolas. Always follow his instructions, and collaborate with him. “Jump in the canal” is just a slogan, so please do not do it for your safety.
What is more, we invite our trainees to develop more active and sustainable tourism by doing sports, leaving no trace, and what is more, by collecting any rubbish found during the tour. Also, please be respectful of nature and do not damage or remove plants or wildlife.
Join our community
COMMUNITY
Voga and Neta
Voga e Neta means Row and Clean in Venetian. Every first weekend of the month, we navigate across the Lagoon on traditional boats and kayaks to collect plastic waste.
Vogalonga
The Vogalonga is a «non-competitive» rowing boat regatta held in Venice in May.
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