Here’s how you become a gondolier at the Venetian — VIDEO

By GREG HAAS LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

10 years ago

Tino Fortuna watches as one of more than a dozen gondolier candidates takes a required plunge into the frigid waters of the Grand Canal at The Venetian hotel-casino on Friday, April 3, 2015. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Michael Quine on Twitter @Vegas88s

Two of more than a dozen gondolier candidates anticipate their required "jump test" into the frigid waters of the Grand Canal at The Venetian hotel-casino on Friday, April 3, 2015. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Michael Quine on Twitter @Vegas88s

On a chilly Friday morning, one of more than a dozen gondolier candidates splashes into the brisk waters of the Grand Canal at The Venetian hotel-casino to pass the required gondolier "jump test". Friday, April 3, 2015. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Michael Quine on Twitter @Vegas88s

A chilled gondolier candidate clambers back onboard after a requisite "jump test" into the frigid waters of the Grand Canal at The Venetian hotel-casino on Friday, April 3, 2015. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Michael Quine on Twitter @Vegas88s

On a chilly Friday morning, Tino Fortuna, right, observes one of more than a dozen gondolier candidates splashing into the brisk waters of the Grand Canal at The Venetian hotel-casino to pass the required gondolier "jump test". Friday, April 3, 2015. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Michael Quine on Twitter @Vegas88s

On a brisk Friday morning, more than a dozen gondolier candidates rally at The Venetian hotel-casino to watch teammates leap into the frigid waters of the Grand Canal to pass their required gondolier "jump test". Friday, April 3, 2015. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Michael Quine on Twitter @Vegas88s

Tino Fortuna, left, reaches out and congratulates a drenched gondolier candidate after her required plunge into the frigid waters of the Grand Canal at The Venetian hotel-casino on Friday, April 3, 2015. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Michael Quine on Twitter @Vegas88s

Tino Fortuna, center, assists a drenched gondolier candidate after her required plunge into the frigid waters of the Grand Canal at The Venetian hotel-casino on Friday, April 3, 2015. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Michael Quine on Twitter @Vegas88s

The next time you take a gondola ride at the Venetian, take comfort that your tour is in the hands of a graduate of the Gondolier University. But it’s not exactly a four-year program — more like three weeks.

Twelve prospective gondoliers went through intitial tests on Friday, jumping into the Outdoor Grand Canal and then swimming back to the gondola. Each candidate was timed on how long it took to gain control of the boat.

Next is three weeks of Gondolier University:

— learning how to effectively maneuver the gondola

— creating a unique gondolier persona

— performing authentic Italian ballads

— becoming a master of all facts regarding The Venetian Las Vegas.

The gondoliers spend a minimum of 40 hours navigating the gondola through the canals and mastering the safety test before they can go throught final evaluations and become a graduate of Gondolier University.