Remada a Seconda

❝Historical reenactments of the lives of traditional freshwater sailors and recent environmental concerns come together in this yearly event. Every spring, rowers takes to the navigable waterways towards the Adriatic coast. Flag-flyers, folklorists and by-passers animate this fun and wacky boat race that is becoming increasingly popular.❞

This annual event, the so-called Remada a Seconda, has taken place punctually since the spring of 1981. It has an important role among initiatives to promote and valorize the waterways and historical canals in the territory of Padua. The name comes from a term typical of the nautical traditions of inland water, when boatmen sailed in their burchi towards the sea making use of the current, that is to say, proceeding according to (a seconda) the current. Organised by the Remada a Seconda Association of Battaglia Terme, it takes place over two days along the ancient liquid roads between Padua and the Adriatic. Participation is permitted exclusively for rowing boats, of any size and shape and number of rowers. The first day of the event is Saturday afternoon, with departure from the historical river town of Bassanello, south west of Padua historical centre, and reaches Battaglia Terme after a trip of around two and a half hours on the waters of the historical Battaglia Canal (1201). The following day, the Remada a Seconda sets off early on the Vigenzone Canal and follows it to Bovolenta where there is a lunch stop at the "Porto alla Ponta", at the confluence of the Bacchiglione river. In the afternoon, the colourful procession heads towards the Adriatic Sea to Pontelongo, the final destination, a one hour sail. The descent of the vessels on these old commercial and navigation routes is followed by many cyclists and walkers from banks, and in certain places en-route, is accompanied by folklore groups and flag fliers. The merry event ends with awards to the most original boats. Over the years, the Remada a Seconda has gained participants and fame, thanks to the fun and informal approach taken to the discovery of inland sailing traditions. But its popularity is also due to awareness of the preciousness of the element water in terms of its many ecosystems. The Remada a Seconda is an important attempt to reinstate the relationship between humans and the waterway, a place in which the environment and countless stories of human lives meet.