Up & Coming – Giacomo Zaffonato
Features / Tue 3rd Jun, 2025 @ 9:00 am
Meet 17-year-old Italian kiteboarder Giacomo Zaffonato! His passion for the sport runs deep from his first taste of wind in Puglia to charging the powerful Bora winds of Sottomarina. Now part of the Cabrinha Ohana, Giacomo is all about pushing limits, learning fast, and riding with purpose. Jen Tyler caught up with this rising talent to talk about his journey so far, the challenges he’s overcome, and where he’s aiming next!
Giacomo, it’s great to meet you! Tell us a little about yourself; what’s your first memory of being on the water, even before kiteboarding?
Hi, I’m Giacomo Zaffonato. I’m 17 years old and live in a small city in Northern Italy. I attend a scientific sports high school because I love to stay active, especially in extreme sports. My father passed his passion for water onto me; he used to take me swimming in the pool when I was little. I’ve always been the kid who wanted to stay in the water for as long as possible, and even at 17, I still have the same enthusiasm for kitesurfing. When I was 10 years old, I took my first kitesurfing course in Puglia, and it was love at first sight.
What was your biggest challenge when learning to kiteboard, and how did you overcome it?
My first kite session was quite challenging because I had to deal with strong winds and long waves that made me insecure. I was afraid of being left alone to manage the kite, far from other kiters. It was intimidating, especially since my instructor had to leave for an emergency. At first, this sport was beyond my abilities. However, after trying repeatedly and working to set aside my fear of the open sea, I told myself, “I can do this,” and I could handle the situation until my instructor returned. Fortunately, my desire to learn helped me overcome my fear.
What’s the kiteboarding scene like in Sottomarina?
Sottomarina is a renowned kitesurfing destination, famous for its ideal wave and wind conditions. The region is characterised by the Bora, a cold wind that blows from the Northeast and consistently delivers excellent conditions. This wind creates spectacular opportunities for both Big Air and Wave kiting, resulting in clean, powerful waves perfect for high jumps, riding close to the shore, and catching larger, longer waves offshore. The beach is spacious, providing ample room for launching and landing kites. Kitesurfing is a popular and cherished sport among the locals here.
Have you ever had a moment in kiting where you thought, “This is exactly why I love this sport”?
I love this sport because it constantly challenges me, pushing me to face new obstacles. For example, reaching maximum jump height while maintaining control to land safely. These continuous challenges that this sport presents almost lead me to a state of addiction – I always want to try and succeed! It’s a challenge that I genuinely enjoy, and I couldn’t do without them. Another reason I love this sport is the fulfilment that nothing else gives me after overcoming a challenge. Every trick I land or every new achievement opens a new part of me, making me see everything differently.
Who is your biggest competitor that pushes you to be better?
There are many talented athletes against whom to compete. I like to take inspiration from everyone because each has their own style, and it’s great to learn from all of them. Ultimately, this made me realise that my biggest competitor is probably myself. I constantly challenge myself to improve. So, we could say that my greatest competition is the challenges I set myself to overcome.
What has it been like being part of the Cabrinha Ohana, and how has their support helped shape you into the rider you are today?
Becoming part of the Cabrinha Ohana was a great honour for me because it was an ambition I had for a long time. I was welcomed with great enthusiasm from the start, immediately integrating and having fun with the whole team. It’s an amazing group where you can share experiences, exchange ideas, and participate in well-organised meetings that help the team grow stronger. The technical staff is very professional and helps me stay technically and practically updated. However, they are skilled in the technical aspect and have an incredible sense of community and human connection, something rare to find.
If you had to ride with only one kite size for an entire year, which size would you choose and why?
If I had to use only one kite size for an entire year, I would definitely choose the 7-meter one because it’s neither too big nor too small. It offers a great balance between speed/agility in movements and support in flight and landing.
What’s one upgrade you’d love to see in kitesurfing technology in the future?
I hope that kites will be built more sustainably in the future using less polluting materials.
If you could kite anywhere in the world without limits, where would you go and why?
I would choose a place that combines my passion for kitesurfing with the desire for carefree adventures, like Australia, which has always been my dream kitesurfing destination.
Great, thank you, Giacomo!
Thanks, Jen!
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.
