Da 
di venerdì 21 luglio 2023
Clanfe: A True Triestine Summer Tradition Is Back This July
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Words: Micol Brusaferro
Photography: Paolo Giovannini
One of the most popular Triestine events in summer is undoubtedly the “Olimpiade dele Clanfe” held on the 29 July at the Ausonia beach. But what is a clanfa?
A Trieste-only style of diving into the water, which some say dates back to the 19th century, Clanfa means horseshoe in the Triestino dialect; the jump got the name because of the shape of the diver right before he enters the water. But what’s a dive without a splash?
It is thought that the configuration of the seaside littoral in the area inspired divers to invent the clanfa as a way to produce the biggest possible splash without diving too deeply into the water. If you’ve ever observed the muleria Triestina at the seaside, i.e. al bagno, you’ll have seen the clanfa performed almost exclusively by guys, for the benefit of girls gathered around them. The success of the clanfa, as previously mentioned, is judged by the amount of water sprayed, and how many people are left dripping. Its main purpose, according to the fascinating study by Manna et al., is in fact to attract girls.
The bigger the splash and the more people drenched on the shore, the better and more attractive the clanfador. Some typical phrases that accompany the clanfa are: Gò schizà? Sid I splash?, and Quante gò schizà? How many did I soak?
There are different types of clanfa, from simple or classic, to variations involving clapping (usually front and back, or between the legs), walking or running in mid-air, and even the balena bianca [white whale], which involves showing the non-tanned posterior of the clanfador.
Not to forget about the original costumes worn by all of the participants. The sixteenth edition of the “Olimpiade dele Clanfe”, organized as always by SPIZ, will take place on Saturday 29 July 2023 at the bath “Ausonia”, on the Riva Traiana 1 in Trieste.
It’s a very entertaining event, where crazy costumes, hairstyle, make-up and accessories are encouraged, as well as all different kinds of wacky clanfa variations. It’s a beloved event, supported by the city and its visitors.
Competitors can actually choose between different diving categories. And they are divided by age. A jury will evaluate all dives. And the jurors, every year, are pleasantly bribed by the contestants with food and drinks.
After sixteen years, the Olimpiade dele Clanfe is now a traditional celebration for the city of Trieste. The event aims to enhance the “morbin Triestin”, with extravagant characters who enliven the event with sometimes bizarre but always spectacular dives.
Would you like to participate? Join alone or with a group of friends. Choose a name, the dive you want to do, a slogan and a costume. And that’s it.
Would you like to improve your style? Some years ago, on Youtube, the basketball player Andrea Pecile made a special tutorial, to teach everyone the best clanfa!
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