Two men have been fined for surfing on the Grand Canal in Venice,.
The iconic canal that winds through the city is not just Venice’s main thoroughfare, it’s also a recognized UNESCO World Heritage site.
The two, who were not immediately identified, were caught on video using motorized surfboards to surf the waterway.
The pair even dodged a water taxi after opting for the Grand Canal over the numerous beaches in the area.
Surfing and swimming are both banned in the canal. It is a major tourist attraction and an important means of transportation for those who live in Venice.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro posted a video to social media in a call to punish the surfers. He called them “two overbearing imbeciles who are making a mockery of the city.”
Both men were fined more than $1,500 each.
