SUPROME is an 18 KM paddle adventure that bisects the ancient of Rome and passes under ancient Roman bridges. Currently at its fifth edition, SUPRome is a total paddle experience, international paddlers will join together to feast their eyes on the eternal city. Organiser Roberto Crosti who has been paddling in the urban and wild environment since 1980, introduces the SUPRome event to TotalSUP.
Well let me begin by saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day hey (laughing)“ . SUProme officially started in 2015. It evolved from the annual journey that a crazy group of paddlers on the 1st May, which they have been doing for 40 years. Each year they paddle for 7 days down the Tiber river, starting from the mountains. For the first edition we decided to join them for the section in Rome. That 1st edition there were only few SUP paddlers amongst all the other paddle crafts (kayak, canoes, rafters). Each year the number of SUPrs have increased and in 2017 there was a record of 50 fifty boats in the water. Which included people from several other European counties!
After all the paddlers have met up we will head to the starting point, this is located in the northern fringes of Rome, this will be done with shuttle busses. Right from the get-go paddlers will be immersed in striking Roman architecture, immediately after the start you will be able to see the famous Rome Olympic stadium, just before crossing under Ponte Milvio, a bridge built in ancient Roman times, around 110 BC. The event will then end up at the southern outskirts of the city after bisecting through the city centre. We will stop for lunch under Castel Sant’Angelo from where the San Peter Cathedral can be discovered within walking distance.
All along the river paddlers will be able to admire the beautiful architecture. There is 2000 years of history to discover on the banks of the Tiber. Paddlers will be able to take it all in especially from all the different bridges that we paddle underneath. So many different types of bridges to discover from Roman to Renaissance, late 1800, early 1900, Neoclassical and contemporary bridges all built by famous architects. My personal favourite sections is the old industrial urban area, with the iron bridges and structures, especially the old Gas factory. We will provide a waterproof map at the start to help identify all the sites from the river.
We will descend the river starting together, then we spread out along the river, paddlers will be free to chat with other and relax in the surroundings. The challenge is not so much winning but a challenge to see how much beauty you will be able to capture with your eyes, and excitingly enough, this year also with your ears! Because we have the “sailoring jazz band” playing music on the Tiber whilst on an inflatable raft! After spreading out the paddling group will converge again before the rapids (where it is possible to portage).
Even though we are spread out, safety is paramount. On the river several canoe and SUP instructor will guarantee the safety for participants. We will have an initial meeting to explain the potential difficulties present on the river and how to face or portage (passing on the river banks) the rapids. Andrea Ricci, an Italian river SUP instructor will lead the safety for SUPRome. But generally, paddling on the Tiber is easy. Just to note that it is compulsory to wear buoyancy jacket and helmet during the descent!
The day is a paddler extravaganza. SUProme will combine with a big group of paddlers (both canoes and SUPs) that will have started the journey the one week before on the 25th of April. They will have descended all the Tiber river in seven days so to join SUPRome on the 1st of May. Plus in the city other paddlers will join SUPRome, including rafters and many other boats. Different languages, different ages (including kids), different countries, different ‘boats’ all meeting together! Thousands of people from the bridges and the river banks will be on hand to encourage the paddlers. Also there is also a bike tour along the river banks organized so that friends and relatives can follow the paddlers. In addition, SUPRome is a Single-use plastic free event, so remember to bring your water bottle, you can fill it up from every household water tap in Rome.
For the food feast at the finishing line with the pizza real “roman style” …what else…
If you are excited about this epic adventure register here, do it before the 8th April and you will received an early bird discount!
Website: https://suprome2019.blogspot.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/suprome1may/
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/338358653469921/
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Telephone: +393472439715
21 Mar 2023
If you’re after a beautiful weekend get away on your Stand Up Paddleboard then the SUP Rome event could just be your ticket to an action packed weekend of river tourism. This annual event taking place this year on the 30th April and the 1 May is full of the most spectacular sights Rome has […]
28 Feb 2023
The annual SUP Rome event links onto the final two days of the Tiber Tour, a historic walking, cycling and paddling pilgrimage covering the 200km of the River Tiber. SUP Rome brings paddlers together to explore the beautiful scenery of the Tiber and Aniene River in the heart of Rome itself. This event is all […]
6 Feb 2023
Spring SUP race is one to put on your calendar, held in the stunning location of Comacchio, Emilia Romagna, Italy, it’s a great race to kick off the season and test your winter training. The event takes place this year on the 1 and 2 April 2023 and holds ICF World Ranking status where there […]
18 May 2022
It was mainly an Italy vs Spain match in Bari, Italy for stop #1 of the Euro Tour at the BigEye SUP Race this past weekend, with a good pinch of Hungarian troublemaking! Congrats to ICF Junior World Champ Duna Gordillo for her 1st Open victory on the international scene and to Bruno Hasulyo who scores […]
17 Nov 2021
Italian waterwoman Caterina Stenta is a force to be reckoned with on the SUP stage. Her dominance at the Italian Championships in Rome this autumn proves it. Becoming a Starboard Dream Team rider this year feels like the tip of the iceberg for this all-round athlete, who is versed in paddling, windsurfing, skiing, surfing, and […]
12 Mar 2020
The driving force behind Red Paddle Co is innovation and “Explore your world” motto. TotalSUP had a cool opportunity to catch up with Łukasz Chochorowski aka Santa and Sara Grandys of SUP Kultura Kraków, Polish SUP hub located in the iconic city of Kraków, about their recent trip to the Italian Alps where they combined their […]
29 Nov 2019
Driven by passion for watersports and cutting-edge designs, RRD International have grown from its epic windsurfing roots into a SUP and foil powerhouse with RRD Team Riders shredding the pro SUP racing scene globally. TotalSUP caught up with the RRD Team Rider Francesco Mazzei to talk about the growing SUP racing scene in Italy. Hi […]
6 Aug 2019
The 10th edition of the Open Water Challenge which will take place from September 20th to 22nd in Torregrande (Oristano), on the Italian island of Sardinia, will host a regional stage of the continental circuit that gathers some of Europe’s largest Stand Up Paddle Racing competitions. It became clear that the 10th edition of […]
16 Jul 2019
When she’s not windsurfing and shredding waves around the globe, RRD International Team Rider, Caterina Stenta is taking the SUP racing scene by storm. TotalSUP caught up with the über talented Trieste-born Champion to talk about her top ten spots for stand up paddle in Italy. Caterina, could you share with us a little bit […]
