A fascinating and still little-known discipline, a spectacular setting, an afternoon of thrilling challenges, and the value of teamwork growing with every stroke.

Following the great success of the first two editions (2024 and 2025), the Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge returns on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, as part of the 58th edition of Barcolana. The event is organised by CUS Trieste in collaboration with the University of Trieste, CUS Venezia, and the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, with the support of the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Starting at 2:00 p.m., the 180-metre race course set between the Trieste waterfront (Molo Audace) and the Old Port Breakwater will come alive with head-to-head races between the dragon-shaped boats — the famous Dragon Boats — representing the four participating CUS clubs: Bari, Padua, Trieste and Udine.

“The Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge,” said Donata Vianelli, Rector of the University of Trieste, “will once again be an important opportunity for our community. Through CUS Trieste, our students will be able to experience sport, competition and social interaction, putting into practice the values of collaboration, inclusion and teamwork. This race will bring UniTS ‘onto the water’. From October 8, meanwhile, the University will welcome visitors to its stand in Piazza della Borsa, ‘From the Deep Sea to Space – A Journey Through Innovation in Extreme Environments’, with a series of events combining sport and scientific research.”

“Now in its third edition,” added Michele Pipan, President of CUS Trieste, “the Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge has become a celebration that the university community feels is truly its own: an opportunity to experience Barcolana as protagonists and to bring onto the water the idea of a community without barriers, where everyone works together and the opponent is a friend who helps us grow. This year, the challenge has a special significance: there are eight months to go before the 2027 Italian University Championships, which in May will bring thousands of athletes from universities across Italy to our region, competing in a wide range of disciplines, including water sports. It is a major event that we are organising together with our friends and partners at CUS Udine, with the essential support of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. This is why we are delighted to renew the Dragon Boat celebration: more than a competition, it is an opportunity to celebrate with the city and with Barcolana guests the values of commitment and cooperation that the University and CUS promote every day.”

“Dragon Boat,” commented Mitja Gialuz, President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, “has something deeply connected to the spirit of Barcolana: to go fast, the strength of an individual is not enough; you have to find the rhythm of the others. It is a simple gesture, but it tells us a great deal about what it means to be a crew and, ultimately, what ‘Be Barcolana’ means: taking part, challenging yourself and building together something that would not be possible alone. The Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge brings all of this to the heart of the event, involving young people and the university community in a spectacular challenge that combines sport, energy and a sense of togetherness. We are delighted to see this experience continue to grow: watching students take to the water, compete and work as a team is one of the most beautiful ways to portray Barcolana as a meeting place, open to different sports and communities.”

The day’s programme

On Wednesday, October 7, the event will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the arrival of the Dragon Boats at Molo 0 in the Old Port, followed by their transfer to the San Giusto Basin (in front of Piazza Unità), where an training session will take place until 1:00 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., the Barcolana InfoPoint in Piazza Unità will host the unmissable Blessing Ceremony of the Dragon Boat Heads, held according to traditional rites and intended to bring good luck, prosperity and protection to the crews and the boats themselves.

From 2:00 p.m., the 180-metre race course between the Trieste waterfront (starting from the tip of Molo Audace) and the Old Port Breakwater will host the races on the water, featuring crews of 16 competitors (8 female rowers and 8 male rowers), plus 1 drummer.

At approximately 6:15 p.m., the Award Ceremony will take place at the InfoPoint in Piazza Unità or, alternatively, at Sala FiloXenia on Riva 3 Novembre.