370 Kilometers on the Tiber: A SUP Adventure Like No Other

From 24 of April to 1 of May , paddlers from across Europe gathered for the special Jubilee Edition of the International Descent of the Tiber, an event held every year since 1980. Since 2014, this historic descent has also welcomed stand-up paddlers (SUP), adding a fresh and dynamic layer to the multi-day adventure along one of Italy’s most iconic rivers.

Among the participants was Andrea Ricci, who, alongside his teammate Alessandra, took on the challenge with 12’6″ x 30″ inflatable SUPs, fully packed with all the equipment needed for nautical camping. Over the course of 14 stages , they covered 370 kilometers along the winding Tiber, paddling through stunning landscapes, portaging their gear-laden boards around dams and obstacles with the help of a trolley, and embracing both the physical demands and the unique camaraderie that define the Tiber Tour experience.

Hi Andrea, can you describe the Tiber descent in just three words, and talk about your experience on the tiber tour?

Exciting, challenging, enriching.

I participated in the  special Jubilee Edition 2025 of the International Descent of the Tiber, which has taken place every year since 1980. Since 2014, it has also included SUP participants. My colleague Alessandra and I decided to take on the challenge using 12’6″ x 30″ inflatable Sup s, carrying all the equipment needed for nautical camping on board, plus a trolley for transport, covering 370 km in 14 stages.

What motivated you to join the Tiber Tour, and did it live up to your expectations?

This special edition was different from the previous 45: it was much longer and more demanding. The main challenge was to travel the entire Tiber autonomously. Fortunately, the Descent was well prepared in advance, and everything went smoothly. Along the way, we met locals who had heard about our journey and went out of their way to help us.

Was there a particular moment on or off the water, that truly captured the spirit of the event for you?

One stage left us without a place to sleep or eat because the landing was in open countryside. But a group of local boy scouts set up a large tent for us (we were 10 people that day) and surprised us with a delicious vegetable soup for dinner!

What gear or equipment did you use for paddling and protecting yourself during the Tiber Tour? Was there anything you found essential or wish you had brought?

Alessandra and I have years of river SUP experience, so we were well equipped to handle falls, as well as the cold and rain. We used long john wetsuits, spray tops, helmets, sturdy shoes, special leashes, dry bags for all our gear, and of course, the trolley.

What was the biggest challenge you faced during the tour, and how did you overcome it?

I’ve paddled rivers all over Europe, and the biggest difficulty is always portaging around dams and barriers. You have to get out before the dam, find a path, load the SUP (plus all the luggage) onto the trolley, cross the dam, and find a point to put back in. On the Tiber, this happened almost every day the longest portage we did was 3 km!

How would you describe the atmosphere among participants and the sense of community throughout the journey?

All kinds of paddle boats participated in the Descent. But we paddled mostly with other SUPs, packrafts, and inflatable canoes (even though Alessandra and I were the only ones with luggage on board, the others had their luggage brought in daily by a van). It is normal for people to help each other: during difficult passages, during portages, during put-ins and take-outs of the water. Then the excellent shared dinners prepared by the local communities always gave us a sense of community.