The AUR Sea-Wolves

Venice, Italy, June 4, 2006 The American University of Rome’s newest sports club made an impressive debut by participating in the 32nd annual ‘Vogalonga’, or ‘long row’ in Venice, Italy on Sunday, June 4, 2006.

The rowing club began as an idea of Registrar Stefania Iorio, and Professors Terry Kirk and James Walston, all experienced and dedicated rowers, who wondered aloud if there was interest in forming a rowing club to participate in Venice’s annual June regatta. The call for members was quickly answered by a number of students, faculty members and spouses/partners. Training began in earnest on the first of March along the banks of the still fast-moving Tiber, and continued three times a week until the week of the race.

After sizing up the volunteers, it was quickly decided to choose an eight plus cox craft, and due to the combination of the eager but novice crew and the possibility of uncertain weather conditions, a more sturdy ‘Yola 8’ wooden racing shell was chosen. Stefania contacted the Canottieri Querini, one of the oldest and largest rowing clubs in Venice, and the commitment was made.

The ‘vogalonga’, or appropriately named ‘long row’ is a 32 km or 19 mile course, beginning and ending at the basin in front of St Mark’s square. The course circles the islands of Burano, famous for its hand-crafted lace products, and of Murano, equally famous for its glass crafts, and then enters the Grand canal through the famous Cannareggio canal, next to the train station. The course ends again at St Mark’s basin with a triumphant calling out of all finishers’ names and their affiliation.

AUR’s rowing club joined more than 1000 other entries, totaling more than 5000 participants from all over the world, a truly international gathering. Entries ranged from single person kayaks through two, four and eight person racing boats to large 16 and more single-oared canoes. Traditional Venetian boats from many different eras added to the spectacle.

The club has quickly attracted a number of supporters, and the Venice weekend was enhanced by the attendance of Dr Robert Marino, president of AUR. Dr Marino accepted the pennant of the Canottieri Querini at the weekend kick-off event. Also participating were wives, girlfriends, relatives from the UK and New York, and Italian friends.

The club is currently comprised of students Mehtab Dere, Adam Linnell and Paul Scaglia (an Alumnus on the day of the event!), AUR’s Registrar Stefania Iorio, Professors Terry Kirk, Bob Sonnabend, Antonio Vasquez, and James Walston, and partners/spouses Sharon Vasquez and Paolo Verdeschi.