by InTrieste
For the second consecutive year, the historic Barcolana sailing regatta begins not in the waters of Trieste, but 30 miles away in Grado, where the Barcolana Grado SUP (Stand-Up Paddle) Experience is set to return on Saturday, October 5.
This growing event, which debuted last year to much acclaim, serves as a prelude to the 56th edition of the famed Barcolana, one of the world’s largest sailing events. While the young sailors of Barcolana Young take to the waters in Trieste, Grado’s shores will be animated by SUP enthusiasts—both professional athletes and amateurs.
Registrations for the event, which closes on October 3, remain open online, and the excitement is already palpable in the seaside town. Grado, renowned for its peaceful lagoon and serene waters, offers an ideal setting for this unique competition. The Barcolana SUP Experience taps into a broader trend of inclusive and accessible water sports, reflecting Barcolana’s spirit of celebration and community.
A Growing Event
The inaugural SUP event in 2023 exceeded expectations, with participants hailing from across Europe. This year, more than 85 competitors are expected, half of whom are women. “SUP is a sport for everyone,” says Mitja Gialuz, president of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano (SVBG), the organizing body behind both Barcolana and its new offshoot. “This year, we have participants from Austria, Germany, and across Italy. With such a diverse group, the event celebrates inclusivity.”
Mayor of Grado, Giuseppe Corbatto, emphasized the SUP Experience’s growing importance for the town. “This sustainable, open event is a key promotional tool for Grado as a year-round tourist destination,” he said. “We hope it continues to gain momentum, attracting more visitors and competitors each year.”
The SUP race offers categories for a wide range of participants, from Under-14s to over-45s, with divisions for both men and women. The course will take competitors on a 4-kilometer route from Grado’s Imperial Beach, around Isola d’Oro, and into the Venetian heart of the town, through canals and coastal landmarks. The roughly 50-minute race promises to challenge paddlers while offering spectacular views of Grado’s lagoon.
Grado, Tourism, and Barcolana’s Spirit
While Barcolana’s main attraction is the regatta in Trieste, the SUP Experience serves to highlight the region’s broader tourism potential. “The Barcolana SUP Experience is not only about competition,” says Iacopo Mestroni, Director of PromoTurismo FVG, “it’s an international event that promotes sustainability, inclusion, and collaboration across the region.”
Roberto Marin, President of Grado’s G.I.T. (Grado Impianti Turistici S.p.A.), echoed these sentiments. “Grado is a tourist destination that doesn’t stop at summer. Thanks to events like this, our tourism calendar now extends well into the fall, drawing visitors year-round.”
For the town’s locals, Barcolana’s impact extends beyond the water. Following the race, participants and spectators will gather at Grado’s Antiche Terme Bar for refreshments and an awards ceremony. A festive atmosphere will carry through the afternoon, featuring live music by Disco Joe di Brutto and DJ RINGO from Virgin Radio. As the sun sets on Grado’s shores, the SUP Experience promises to end on a celebratory note, setting the stage for the main Barcolana events in Trieste the following weekend.
Sustainability and Looking Ahead
The Barcolana Grado SUP Experience is built on values of sustainability, sportsmanship, and accessibility. Competitors are required to use boards equipped with safety measures, including leashes and flotation devices for long-distance races. This year’s event introduces a new “challenge trophy” for the overall winner, adding an extra layer of competition to the inclusive atmosphere.
As Barcolana organizers look ahead to the future, they aim to make this SUP event a permanent fixture on the Barcolana calendar. “Grado and Trieste have a long and intertwined history,” says Gialuz, “and by fostering this event, we celebrate the bond between the two cities. We’re just getting started.”
A Day of Fun, Sport, and Community
With Grado’s picturesque coastline as its backdrop, the Barcolana SUP Experience exemplifies the regatta’s broader mission of bringing people together through sport. As paddlers glide through the water on October 5, they will not only be competing for prizes but also celebrating the town’s beauty, the camaraderie of the event, and the spirit of the Barcolana.
For locals and visitors alike, the SUP Experience offers a glimpse of what makes Barcolana so special—its ability to blend tradition with innovation, and to unite people from around the world in a shared love of the sea.
