From its debut in the 1960s to the consecration of athletes like Leonardo Fioravanti, surfing in Italy has experienced unstoppable growth

That of surfing in Italy is a story of passion and daring: from the timid explorations of the Ligurian and Tuscan coasts in the 1960s, inspired by overseas travel, to a movement that exploded in the 1980s and 1990s with athletes and schools, surfing has gained a prominent place in the Italian sports scene. Today, locations like Varazze and Capo Mannu are veritable temples for those seeking the adrenaline rush of the waves, while figures like Leonardo Fioravanti take Italy to the most prestigious international stages. But the journey is not over: what new stories will be written on Italian waves?

In the meantime, let’s take a look at who we can consider to be the 5 female and male surfers who have left their mark on Italian and international surfing, not before taking a look at how our favorite sport has evolved in the country.

The evolution of surfing in Italy

Surfing in Italy has a relatively young history compared to other nations: it was only during the 1960s that the first enthusiasts began to try their hand at surfing on the Italian coast. Initially, surfing was only practiced by a few pioneers who had had experiences abroad, especially in places like California and Australia. In the 1970s, the first groups of surfers began to form along the Ligurian and Tuscan coasts, with Bogliasco and Pisa soon becoming hotspots for enthusiasts.

The 1980s saw an increase in the popularity of surfing, especially in Santa Marinella, near Rome, one of the cult locations for the sport. It was here that the surf culture began to take root thanks to the friendship and sharing that characterized the early groups of surfers.

In the 1990s, surfing in Italy experienced a real boom: interest in surfing grew, specialized stores were born, and the first official competitions spread. Technologies improve, boards become more affordable and the first surf schools begin to develop: Liguria, in particular, becomes a nerve center for the Italian surfing scene.

Today, surfing in Italy is a steadily growing sport that can count on fans of all ages and social backgrounds. Places such as Varazze in Liguria, Capo Mannu in Sardinia and Santa Marinella are among the most popular destinations for experts and beginners, professionals and amateurs. And as the movement has grown, the number of professionals participating in international competitions and events such as the World Championships and Olympics has increased.

Read also: Who is the best surfer in the world today in 2024?

Top 5 Italian surfers: here’s who they are!

Leonardo Fioravanti

Born Dec. 8, 1997, in Rome, Italy, Leonardo Fioravanti is probably the most internationally renowned Italian surfer. His career is marked by outstanding achievements, including participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he was the first Italian to compete in an Olympic surfing competition. Fioravanti is known for his very dynamic style, adaptability, and resilience, which has led him to overcome challenges and difficulties, including serious injuries. Fioravanti is a key figure in Italian surfing, having represented our country in the most prestigious international events.

Nicholas Bresciani

Born on January 2, 1981 in Pietrasanta, Nicola Bresciani can be considered one of the pioneers of surfing in Italy. Thanks to a career spanning more than two decades, Bresciani has been a benchmark for Italian surfing, winning numerous national championships in the shortboard discipline. In addition to his sporting career, the Tuscan surfer has played an important role in promoting surfing in Italy, contributing to the growth of the movement through the media, surf schools, and collaborations with major international brands.

Valentina Vitale

Valentina Vitale, born November 2, 1984, is one of the Italian surfers with the most titles in her trophy cabinet. She started surfing at the age of 18 and quickly gained notoriety through her successes in national (she boasts 5 Italian titles in shortboard) and international competitions. Valentina Vitale also achieved a remarkable fifth place at the 2015 European Surfing Championships. She is co-founder of the Ostia Surf School & Club.

Angelo Bonomelli

Born in 1991 in Varese, Angelo Bonomelli has a career that spans Italy and Costa Rica. He has achieved excellent results on the European and international circuit, including the Italian champion title in 2009 and numerous top placings in pro junior competitions. Bonomelli is recognized for his ability to deal with a wide range of ocean conditions and for his contribution to the growth of Italian surfing.

Valeria Patriarca

Valeria Patriarca, born June 6, 1997 in Rome, began surfing at age 13 and climbed the national and international rankings rather quickly. Specializing in shortboarding, the Roman surfer has competed in numerous competitions, always showing excellent skills and great determination. Not surprisingly, she is considered one of the brightest promises of Italian surfing.

Italian surfing and the international scene

Although the movement started late compared to other parts of the world, Italian surfing has been able to establish itself on the international stage. Leonardo Fioravanti, as mentioned, brought surfing Italy into the global spotlight, becoming the first Italian to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. His participation gave visibility to the Italian surfing movement, encouraging a new generation of surfers.

Nicola Bresciani, in addition to his victories, founded surf schools and collaborated with major brands to promote surfing in Italy. His ability to combine competitive activity with entrepreneurship has contributed to the growth of surf culture in Italy and abroad.

If surfing in Italy is increasingly popular, it is largely due to the influence of successful surfers who have inspired young people to try the sport. Valentina Vitale, with her national and international successes, has become a role model for many young Italian female surfers; similarly, Angelo Bonomelli has shown that an Italian surfer can also excel on international stages, challenging athletes from countries with a much longer surfing tradition.

Read also: The best surfing movies, the top 10 must-see

In conclusion

The evolution of surfing in Italy is a story of passion, determination and perhaps unexpected successes, which has transformed a hobby of a few pioneers into a growing national movement. From a culture still in its formative stages in the 1960s, surfing has been able to gain prominence, both on Italian shores and on the international scene, thanks to charismatic figures such as Leonardo Fioravanti and Valentina Vitale. But what does the future hold for Italian surfing? Will it be able to take on new challenges and continue to surprise, perhaps with new protagonists ready to make their mark? The waves are ready, but fate is yet to be written.

If you would like to be part of the future of Italian surfing, or just have fun on the board, you can take our surfing courses in Fuerteventura: learn the technique, the rules of surfing, approach the waves… and enjoy the experience!

Takeaways

• Surfing in Italy was born in the 1960s thanks to a few pioneers who had experimented with the sport abroad, mainly in California and Australia. From these modest roots, surfing began to spread along the Italian coasts, especially in Liguria and Tuscany;
• In the 1980s, surfing began to gain popularity, with places like Santa Marinella becoming true centers for enthusiasts. During this period, surf culture began to take shape, fostered by a growing sense of community among Italian surfers;
• The 1990s marked a real surfing boom in Italy. The accessibility of surfboards improved, surf schools were born, and the first official competitions began to attract a wider audience. Liguria, in particular, established itself as one of Italy’s main surfing hubs;
• Today, surfing in Italy is a growing sport, with places like Varazze and Capo Mannu attracting surfers of all levels. Italy has also begun to produce world-class surfers, such as Leonardo Fioravanti, who represented the country in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics;
• Italian surfers such as Leonardo Fioravanti, Nicola Bresciani, Valentina Vitale, Angelo Bonomelli and Valeria Patriarca have not only brought Italian surfing to the international stage, but have also contributed significantly to the growth and spread of the sport in the country, inspiring a new generation of enthusiasts.

FAQ

Who is the most internationally famous Italian surfer?

Leonardo Fioravanti is Italy’s most famous international surfer. Born in Rome in 1997, he participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first Italian to compete in an Olympic surfing competition.

Which Italian surfers have had a significant impact on surfing in Italy?

Surfers such as Nicola Bresciani, Valentina Vitale, Angelo Bonomelli and Valeria Patriarca have had a significant impact on surfing in Italy through their success in competitions and their contribution to the growth of the surfing movement in the country.

What are Nicola Bresciani’s main achievements in surfing?

Nicola Bresciani is one of the pioneers of surfing in Italy, with numerous national championships won in the shortboard discipline. In addition to his sports career, he has contributed to the promotion of surfing in Italy through surf schools and collaborations with major brands.