Celebrating Carlo Riva’s 90th Birthday In Style – With Family, Friends & Classic Riva Boats – Classic Boats

Chiara Ferrese, Carlo Riva’s Granddaughter With Carlo In Sarnico, Italy

As we reported a few days ago, family & friends from around world gathered last weekend in Sarnico, Lake Iseo, Italy to attend the Riva Historical Society’s 2012 Riva Days event and for the triple celebration of Carlo Riva’s 90th birthday, 170 years since the Riva yard was founded and 50 years since the birth of the Riva Aquarama!

Over 30 Riva enthusiasts from the USA made the trip over to Italy to attend this historic event, including fellow Woody Boater Marty Feletto who captured many of the photos for today’s update with his trusty iPhone from Lake Iseo. Over the last few days we have also received some photos from a number of friends who are also in Italy which we have included in today’s update.

Below – Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club President and Riva Forum contributor Don Ayers with the legendary Carlo Riva.

Don Ayers with Carlo Riva

Fellow Woody Boater’s Casudi and James are also there for the celebration and sent us this great shot, just a few of the 120 Rivas that were at Lake Iseo in Sarnico for the big party.

Riva Days 2012 – Photo Courtesy of Fellow Woody Boater Casudi

And Don Ayers sent us this shot of a classic Riva Tritone powered by special twin Cadillac’s… Enlarge this photo by clicking on it and check out the clearance between those two big V-8’s…

Let the celebration begin – As everyone dressed up, jumped in their Riva’s and made thier way out on the lake.

Fellow Woody Boater’s Brian & Michelle Robinson from Southern California joining in the celebration, surrounded by mahogany.

The parade of Riva’s as they cruised by the Riva Shipyard and RAM in Sarnico… and you gotta love the unique styling of that building.

Above is what happens when Riva’s sing happy birthday. Actually very moving!

A boat-load of knowledge, representing three corners of the United States, Herb Hall from Sierra Boat Company at Lake Tahoe, California, Riva Guru Alan Weinstein from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and relaxing in the back, Don Ploetner from Sparta, New Jersey.

Classic Boating Italian Style with Chiara

OK – Next year Matt we have to try boating like they do in Italy, matching outfits for everyone…

Fellow Woody Boater and Artist Roy Dryer – Ready To Shoot

Speaking of matching outfits, check out the snazzy Zebra fenders to match the original, and very cool Zebra style upholstery in this Riva.

Brian Robinson sent us this shot showing both modern and traditional Riva’s at the dock in Sarnico.

Then on Monday, the guys (Marty, Ron, Roy & Hamster) made their way to Monaco, for a few days of boating on a Aquariva from Monaco Boat Service. Good work if you can get it…

“Renaissance Man” Hamster sporting his special Italian Captians Cap in Monaco…

Then out of nowhere, this boat pulled up – Only in Monaco… Marty commented in his e-mail “Seeing this thing reminded me of the movie “To Catch a Thief” when Cary Grant escapes from Monaco…”

(But I think they were chasing the boys in the Riva because they wanted to buy Hamster’s Cap – Texx)

Thanks to Marty, Casudi, Don & Brian for sending us the snapshots of their adventure in Italy and Monaco – It was fun to see how they celebrate over there.