It’s been a minute since we last caught up with freestyle powerhouse Gianmaria Coccoluto—and a lot has changed! With a new chapter unfolding as a first-time dad, we were curious to hear how life, riding, and perspective have shifted for one of kiteboarding’s most stylish and technical riders. In this feature, Gianmaria opens up about what it really means to chase your dreams while raising the next generation. Spoiler: he’s still going full send!

⁠Hi Gianmaria, it’s been a while since we last caught up! Becoming a dad is a life-changing experience. How has it changed your perspective on everything, both personally and professionally?

Hi Jen! Becoming a father has completely changed my way of seeing things. Before, my life revolved entirely around my career, training, and competitions. Now, everything is centered around my son, Noamaria. It has given me a new sense of purpose and responsibility and helped me find a better balance between my professional and personal life. I still give 100% to my career, but now I think more long-term, not just about my own goals but about building a future for my son.

How do you and Mariana share the responsibilities of parenthood, especially with both of you having demanding careers?

Mariana and I have found a great rhythm together. She understands my career as an athlete, and I understand hers, so we both try to support each other as much as possible. It’s not always easy, especially with my travels for competitions and training, but we communicate a lot and always make sure Noamaria has everything he needs. When I’m home, I dedicate as much time as possible to them, and when I’m away, we stay connected every day.

What’s been the most surprising part of becoming a dad? Something you didn’t expect.

I didn’t expect how much I could change in such a short time. Before becoming a dad, I thought I already had everything figured out: my routine, goals, and priorities. But when Noamaria arrived, everything shifted. The love and responsibility I feel for him are overwhelming in the best way possible. I also didn’t expect how quickly time flies when you have a child; you really have to enjoy every moment.

How do you juggle training, competitions, and family life?

It’s definitely a challenge, but I’ve learned to manage my time better. I have to be very disciplined with my training, ensuring I maximise every session so I don’t take away time from my family. When I’m competing, I focus entirely on the competition, but when I’m home, I switch off from everything else and dedicate myself fully to my family. It’s about being present in whatever I’m doing at the moment.

⁠Have you had to make any sacrifices in your career to make more time for your family?

Yes, of course. There are opportunities I’ve had to turn down because they would take too much time away from my family. Before, I would say yes to everything—every trip, every event—but now, I carefully choose what matters. It’s a sacrifice, but I make it happily because nothing is more important than being there for my son. Still, I do everything because I take him with me!

What does it take to stay at the top of freestyle while managing a busy personal life?

Discipline, commitment, and a lot of mental strength. Freestyle is one of the most demanding disciplines in kitesurfing, both physically and mentally. You must constantly push your limits, learn new tricks, and stay competitive. But at the same time, you need to find a balance so that your personal life doesn’t suffer. I’ve learned that quality is more important than quantity, but more focused training sessions can be just as effective.

Do you see Noamaria getting into kiteboarding one day, or do you want him to find his own passion?

I would love for him to try kiteboarding one day, but I don’t want to push him into it. I think it’s important for him to discover his own passion, whatever it may be. If he falls in love with kiteboarding, I will be the happiest dad in the world, but if he chooses a different sport, I’ll support him 100%.

How do you handle the mental game of competition while balancing the responsibilities of being a parent?

The mental aspect of competition is tough, and adding the responsibility of being a parent makes it even more complex. But at the same time, being a dad has given me a new sense of motivation and perspective. When I’m competing, I remind myself that I’m not just doing this for myself anymore—I’m also doing it for my family. It helps me stay focused and push even harder.

Are there any new tricks or styles you’re working on now? 

Yes, I’m always working on new tricks and trying to evolve my riding. The level of freestyle is constantly rising, and you have to keep innovating to stay at the top. Right now, I’m focusing on refining my technical tricks and adding more style and power to my riding. I also want to explore different conditions and bring new elements into my riding.

Do you see yourself competing at the same level for years to come, or do you have other ambitions within the sport?

I still feel strong and motivated to compete at the highest level, so I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon. However, I also have other ambitions within the sport. I want to help grow freestyle kiting, inspire younger riders, and maybe one day be involved in developing the spordifferentlyay.

Would you ever consider transitioning into coaching or mentoring young riders?

Yes, absolutely. I think coaching and mentoring the next generation is really important. I’ve learned so much from my own experiences, and I would love to pass that knowledge on to younger riders. Whether it’s through personal coaching, clinics, or even working with brands to develop talent, I see that as something I’d love to do in the future.

If you could describe your life right now in just three words, what would they be?

Love, passion, and balance!

Thank you so much for your time, Gianmaria! 

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.

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