by InTrieste
This year’s Barcolana56 sea calendar, presented by Generali, will launch on October 5th with a simultaneous opening in Trieste and Grado. While Trieste will host the Barcolana Young sailing event in the Gulf, Grado will feature the Barcolana Grado SUP Experience, marking its second year.
Following a successful debut in 2023, the Società Velica di Barcola and Grignano is bringing back the Stand Up Paddle (SUP) experience to the picturesque waters of the Grado lagoon. This event will welcome both professional and amateur athletes from the region and beyond, encompassing a broad area of the Friuli Venezia Giulia coast.
The Barcolana Grado SUP Experience is organized by SVBG, which will oversee the sporting management, with assistance from the Lega Navale di Grado, the Società Canottieri Ausonia, Kitelife Grado, and key logistical and organizational support from the Municipality of Grado and G.I.T. (Grado Impianti Turistici S.p.A.). The event will also benefit from backing by Promoturismo FVG and Acqua Dolomia. Starboard returns as the technical partner, with celebrated athlete Caterina Stenta—an accomplished windsurfer, mountain runner, and SUP champion—serving as the event’s ambassador.
Mitja Gialuz, President of the Società Velica di Barcola and Grignano, expressed enthusiasm for the event’s growth. “The second edition of the Barcolana Grado SUP Experience represents a significant step in our ongoing effort to expand Barcolana’s reach, engaging the entire Friuli Venezia Giulia region,” he said. “Grado’s unique features offer a spectacular water course and the opportunity for spectators to follow the event from the shore. With the support of the Municipality of Grado and G.I.T., we aim to establish the Barcolana Grado SUP Experience as a premier opening event for Barcolana, and to position it as a key international SUP event in the coming years.”
The Municipality of Grado also expressed support for the event. “We are pleased to endorse the Barcolana Grado SUP Experience again this year,” said a municipal spokesperson. “Our goal is for this event to grow and become the most popular SUP event in Europe. We thank the organizers and all involved for making such high-level sports events possible.”
Roberto Marin, President of GIT Grado Impianti Turistici S.p.A., highlighted the significance of the event. “Incorporating the Grado SUP Experience into Barcolana’s 56th edition brings us immense satisfaction,” he said. “We are grateful to President Mitja Gialuz and his team for their vision of extending Barcolana’s influence beyond our region. The festival is truly becoming a celebration for all of Friuli Venezia Giulia, reaching beyond our own Gulf. GIT is committed to working with the Società Velica di Barcola and Grignano to elevate future editions of the Grado SUP Experience on the international stage.”
Sergio Emidio Bini, Regional Councillor for Productive Activities and Tourism, underscored the event’s role in regional promotion. “Barcolana, along with ‘I am Friuli Venezia Giulia,’ will continue to partner in promoting our region through sport and major events,” he said. “Barcolana’s influence extends beyond Trieste, embracing the Adriatic coast and incorporating various sea activities. The Grado SUP Experience, now in its second year, exemplifies this broader vision, showcasing the region’s unique attributes. Sport is an increasingly vital channel for promoting Friuli Venezia Giulia and connecting our champions with the values of this exceptional land.”
The competition will feature categories for both men and women: Under 14 Kids, Under 18, Open (18-45), and Master (over 45). Registration is available online through the Barcolana website starting August 12.
On the event day, participants can collect their race materials from 8:00 AM at the accreditation desk located at the starting area. Acceptable boards include Rigid and Softboards, with mandatory leash and flotation devices for LD races; minors must also wear a flotation device.
The race will commence from Imperiale Beach in Grado at 9:00 AM. Competitors will paddle around the Isola d’Oro, navigating between the briccole and the coast, and follow the canal to Mandracchio, the heart of Grado Veneziana. The approximately 2.2 nautical mile (4 km) course is expected to take 40-50 minutes. A village will be set up at both the start and finish lines to accommodate competitors. This year, the event will coincide with the end-of-season festival and concert organized by G.I.T. After the race, participants will head to the G.I.T. Antiche Terme facility for refreshments, awards, and a DJ set to conclude the evening.
