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Your FAQs
Check out the most often-asked questions and their answers below.
Can my friend/spouse/companion come along and watch?
Sure! Just be aware that the cost is calculated according to the number of people in the boat, whether they row or not.
How many people can fit in a boat?
We have three batelina that hold up to four people each. If you have 3 children under 10 years old, you may book for four people, but list your children’s ages in comments section.
If you have a group of 5 people, you can reserve our larger batela, or two boats (which will allow more rowing time per person).
We do keep boats close together for groups, this provides good photo opportunities as well.
Will we be with other people?
All our lessons are private. We do not combine people, groups, or lessons. However, you are welcome to try and find someone to share the lesson with. Check out sites like
- solotravellerapp.com
- tourlina.com, for women
or search ‘solo traveler connect’ for more possibilitis. You might also check with the concierge at your lodging.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Will we get wet or fall in?
Our lovely batela boats are stable, spacious and deep; you’ll stay comfortably dry for the entire lesson. The only way you’ll ever end up in the water is if you jump in on purpose!
What should we wear?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and flexible shoes. It can be very warm in summer, so bring a hat, some water, perhaps an umbrella (we’ll have that as well).
When it’s cool, layers are the key, because when you row you’ll warm up immediately, when you sit and ride while your companion rows, you’ll cool off just as quickly.
Can you pick us up from our hotel?
As all lessons start and end at the Row Venice meeting point, we do not have the flexiblity to do pick ups elsewhere. We can arrange for someone to escort you from your hotel to the meeting point if you like.
When should we reserve? Can we wait until we arrive?
Our Venetian rowing lessons are very popular, if you want a specific time or need more than one boat, we recommend making your reservation more than two months in advance, more if it’s during a holiday or school break week.
All lessons are reserved on our website with our booking system.
Where do we meet?
For detailed directions, visit our MEETING POINT page (also in your confirmation). Or, search Row Venice on Google or Apple maps.
Be sure to notify us on our LIVE CHAT if you need assistance, or to let us know you’ll be delayed.
Can kids row? Are there age limits?
Kids five and six years-old will be able to row either by themselves or with some help from a parent or the instructor, kids 6 and up will be autonomous as long as they can concentrate.
4 and 5 year-olds can row along with their parents or the instructor.
Kids under 4 years are free, and can row alongside their parents if they like.
Where does the lesson end?
The lesson finishes at the meeting point where we started.
We can sometimes arrange for an alternate drop-off along the return route, but this will shorten your lesson, as the batela will need to be at the starting point for the lesson following yours.
What if we cancel?
What happens if it rains?
Please reserve early in your stay in case we need to reschedule in the rare case of inclement weather. We can’t row in heavy rain, and high winds (20km / hr and above) may also prevent us from conducting your lesson.
If severe weather is predicted the day prior to your lesson, we will get in touch to reschedule. Otherwise, weather is famous here for changing quite frequently so se’ll wait until about an hour before your scheduled lesson to see if it’s possible to row.
Make sure to stay available via and/or text messages for rescheduling; if we must cancel definitively, we will refund your payment – €5 administration fee.
One of us is in a wheelchair. Can they come as well?
We can fit a foldaable wheel chair in the back of a batela, but the person would need to board and disembark without it.
Alternatively, there is a fairly long walkway (fondamenta) where they could be wheeled to watch the initial part of the rowing and then relax at the beautiful garden of the Heureka hotel with a cool drink until the boat returns there at the end of the lesson.
I am above-average weight/height. Can I still row?
Why do you keep nagging me about a mobile phone number?
Venice is a confusing city, even for us locals. We want to know you’re on your way if you’re late, and be able to give you more directions should you need them, and let you know if there are weather problems.
We won’t contact you unless we need to, but if you are late, with a cell we can try and track you down, and if you get lost, you’ll only need to give a call or text, and we’ll guide you in. If you have no cell or smartphone, there’s nothing we can do. iMessage and Whatsapp messages work just fine.