Skip to Content

Venice mayor outraged at surfers motoring down Grand Canal

MILAN (AP) — Two surfers who sped down Venice’s Grand Canal on motorized boards Wednesday have been identified and the boards confiscated, the city’s mayor announced.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro posted a video on social showing a pair of surfers heading down the famed waterway as the sun rose in the distance. The mayor asked for help in apprehending what he called “two overbearing imbeciles who are making a mockery of the city,” and promised dinner for anyone who identified the scofflaws.

In a later post, he said their boards had been confiscated and that the two would soon be apprehended. He did not specify what punishment they face, but the city has a long list of rules governing the behavior of visitors.

Venice has long suffered over-tourism, and with it lapses in decorum by visitors. The city fined two German travelers $1,000 in 2019 for making coffee on the 430-year-old Rialto Bridge. Visitors also are prohibited from swimming in the canals and from eating on the steps of monuments. or face fines.

From next year, day-trippers will have to pay a visitor’s tax to help offset the elevated costs of providing services in the canal city.

Article Topic Follows: AP National News

Jump to comments ↓

Associated Press

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KION 46 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content