A traditional Venetian gondola is not built for speed; it is designed for stability and maneuverability in narrow, shallow canals. An experienced gondolier typically rows at a leisurely pace of about 2 to 3 miles per hour (3 to 5 km/h). In open water or during a "sprint," a gondolier might briefly reach speeds of up to 5 miles per hour, but maintaining this is physically exhausting. The speed is limited by the unique asymmetrical hull design and the fact that it is propelled by a single oar using the voga alla veneta technique. In 2026, Venice enforces strict low-speed limits for all vessels in the canals (often as low as 5 km/h) to prevent "moto ondoso" (wave erosion) from damaging the foundations of historic palazzos. Therefore, even if a gondola could go faster, it is legally and environmentally required to maintain its signature slow, romantic glide through the city's waterways.