Surf interview in Macaronesia Magazine: Gianluca Veglianti
Gianluca is from Sabaudia, a little village in the south of Italy, by the sea. Since he was a child, every day he has gone to the beach and anything did to enjoy and play with the waves, from a surfboard to a bath mattress, on which he even managed to stand or catch some waves. At the age of 14 he was really good at skating, but one day a skate partner showed him a surf board. Eager for one he told his father and they went to the beach together so he could see and examine a surf board up close. «Two weeks later my father, an artist of paint shops, gave me my first surfboard; he had made it himself using a surfboard as a base, which he had cut, glued and modified… an incredibly wonderful board». And Gianluca has inherited part of this art, as he is a true artist working on wood.
The problem is that he became an addict to surfing and he went surfing instead of going to school, until his mother found out and his father broke that board in front of his astonished gaze. That dealt a deathblow! Even so he kept surfing every weekend, sharing a board and a wetsuit with four friends.
At last, two years later, his mother gave him another board and up to know his life has revolved around this sport, this lifestyle which has fulfilled his life so much.
We can define his style as modern short board surfing, as many of his moves come from the new school. There is also a difference between skate and surf tricks, mainly aerials (his favourite); even so he masters all the classic surfing tricks. He’s a surfer who innovates moves, with a powerful, lively and fun style. He likes crazy waves and different sessions, he almost prefers choppy to glassy sea because he wants to have fun. It was because of the waves that he moved in Fuerteventura in the year 2000. Since always his dream had always been to live by the sea, enjoy the beach and sleep at the different spots in a van, surrounded by friends, sharing sensations and good vibes from the Ocean; and all this was possible in Fuerteventura. He remembers that when he came to the island there were no people surfing and it was a pleasure, but on the other hand he understands that the fact that the spots are always full also means that Fuerteventura is standing out as a tourist destination for surfers, which matches this place more than the sun, beach and wristband maker tourism. However he tells us that with time and interest he keeps enjoying almost exclusive sessions with some friends looking for spots in Fuerteventura.
When we ask him about his favourite shaper in the island, he no doubt shows his preference for Wenzel surfboards. «Wenzel comes from a village close to mine, we have known each other since we were young and he was my surfing father; he took me to look for waves when I was a child and when I didn’t have boards he even gave me some. A charming person with whom I have a great friendship».
Gianluca has travelled over Sardinia, France, Portugal, Spain (peninsula), Morocco, Indonesia, Canary Islands (Tenerife, La Graciosa, Las Palmas) and he remembers his trip to Indo as the best one. As a dreamt surf trip he has in mind to go from California to Mexico in an old van, looking for waves and living on the beach. At present Gianluca is a surfing instructor in Protest SurfSchool, a great school with a great team where he has a whale of a time mainly teaching children. «I’d like all the children school in the island to set up a shared school in order to create a good team in Fuerteventura, training them, inside and outside the water, and cooperating to take them to competitions in the islands».
As a piece of advise for surfers, he points out that surfing must always be taken as evolution and fun. It isn’t about having no idea and surf in pro spots, but about looking for spots where you feel comfortable and your surf can improve, every one at their own pace.
Apart from working in Protest, he is in a project with his friend Matteo, called GipsySurfers. They have perfectly conditioned a couple of caravans to offer their customers the possibility to enjoy Fuerteventura by the beach, offering everything which is necessary to spend unforgettable holidays in real contact with the sea.
Gianluca, thanks for devoting your time to us, telling us about you and sharing it with so many readers who for sure admire your surfing style. Good waves!
