In this interview, Jen Tyler sat down with Alby Rondina and Laci Kobulsky to talk about how their partnership all started, the projects that defined their journey, funny fails, creative chemistry, and what’s next for one of kiteboarding’s most dynamic duos!

Alby and Laci, thanks for joining us! How did you two first meet, and what was your first project? Did you hit it off immediately, or did it take time to find your creative rhythm?

We first met in Uruau, Brazil, back in 2015 and yeah, it was kind of a “bromance” at first sight, haha. We hit it off straight away and started shooting photos and video right from day one. That first session was kickers in the ocean. Laci was on the beach with a long lens, and Alby asked where to jump. Laci pointed to a specific spot and said it would be cool with the kite low, so Alby stood there reading the waves like a freakin’ librarian and then gave him Moby Dick, kite low, bang on the mark.

That shot ended up on the cover of an American mag, and it was only later that we realised how tricky that kind of timing is for most riders. But with Alby, it just clicked. He gets the angles, the light, the rhythm. That session also landed us a Cabrinha ad and a killer first edit with some good old school freestyle kicker tricks.

We’ve always connected creatively. Alby has a thing for working with photographers who are genuinely passionate and willing to push for the shot, and Laci’s that guy. From the start, it was easy. We just got each other.

You’ve worked together for years now. What’s the secret to keeping a long-term creative partnership fun and productive?

We’ve been working together for years, and the secret comes down to passion for the sport, creativity, and keeping it all fun. First and foremost, we’re friends. We live in the same place, share many of the same interests, and care about showing what’s legit in kiteboarding from our point of view.

We’re constantly bouncing ideas off each other, new tricks, new angles, new ways to shoot, and that keeps things fresh. Alby draws a lot of inspiration from the surfing world, while Laci’s more influenced by skateboarding, snowboarding, and freestyle culture, so there’s never a shortage of ideas flying around. We’re both open to experimenting and trying out each other’s visions, and that balance keeps our partnership not only productive but also super fun.

Looking back, what’s one project or shoot that stands out as a turning point in your collaboration?

It’s hard to pick just one turning point. We’ve had so many moments over the years where everything just lined up and we got killer shots. Our very first video in Brazil back in 2015 already felt super smooth, no friction at all, and that set the tone for everything that followed. Since then, we’ve been shooting almost daily here in Sicily, and each project has had its own vibe and place in our hearts.

Some of our best content has come from sessions right here in the lagoon, especially those insane sunsets. Honestly, some of the best kiteboarding and winging shots we’ve ever done have been in that golden light. The “Back to Business” edit, the countless ProKite projects, and the Cabrinha Italian team trip to Sicily and Sardinia all stand out. That one in particular was such a fun trip and a real highlight of our collaboration.

You’ve travelled and shot in some incredible places. What’s been your all-time favourite location to film together, and why?

Without a doubt, our all-time favourite place to shoot together is Lo Stagnone, Sicily, that one’s easy! Brazil was where it all began, and it’s still insane in so many ways, but Sicily is on another level regarding variety and consistency.

That’s actually why we both decided to move here. The diversity of conditions is incredible: flat water, waves, kickers, crazy backdrops, and stunning nature all in one spot. If you’re an early bird like Alby, you can even score some proper waves. Plus, being so far south in the Mediterranean means the rideable season is super long, we’re comfortably riding from March through November. For filming, it’s just a dream.

Any funny or unexpected stories from your trips? A moment where everything went wrong or surprisingly right?

Oh, we’ve got plenty of stories, primarily involving Laci’s kite gear drama! For some reason, he’s always had bad luck when we go on missions to remote spots. One year, his kites were constantly leaking. We were riding back from a small island in the Stagnone lagoon, and his kite barely stayed in the air. We had to switch kites mid-mission, and somehow Alby managed to keep the half-dead kite flying and got us both back, saving Laci from a 2–3 hour walk through deep mud!

Then there was the Isola Lungo mission, with a super rare southwest wind and perfect light. We packed the camera gear into dry bags and kited half an hour across the lagoon. After a full-on shoot, Alby offered to grab a few shots of Laci (some of his best photos, by the way!). But when Laci got to his kite, it was nearly deflated. He tried diving, but there was no chance. Alby took over, worked some magic, and somehow rode the thing back across the lagoon with a half-deflated kite while Laci was looping like mad with all his camera gear strapped to his back, barely making it.

Oh, and during a Cabrinha shoot, a wave took out our drone mid-session. Weeks later, a fisherman found it at the bottom of the sea… and we recovered all the footage. Win!

Alby, what do you appreciate most about Laci’s filming style? And Laci, what makes Alby such a strong subject to work with?

What makes our collaboration work so well is that we both really understand each other’s strengths. Alby has always appreciated Laci’s eye; he knows exactly what to do to get the shot, whether it means chasing the best light or going all-in for the perfect angle. He’s got a strong sense of style and is always focused on making things look legit and proper.

On the flip side, Laci loves working with Alby because of his insane understanding of timing and placement. If you ask him to pop in one specific spot for a shot, he’ll do it precisely, and he can repeat it again and again. When you’re trying to nail creative angles or play with backgrounds, that kind of control is a dream. In all Laci’s experience, no one else comes close in that department.

How do you typically divide the creative vision when planning a new shoot? Who leads on what?

When it comes to planning a new shoot, it’s all about collaboration and balance. We usually start by bouncing ideas off each other. Laci often brings the general concept for the video or photos, especially from a marketing or social media angle, while Alby adds the business and sponsorship perspective to make sure we’re covering everything that needs to be shown or said.

Alby will often also come up with a concrete idea that we build into the overall plan. But honestly, some of the best creative moments happen spontaneously right there on the spot during the session. That’s when the real magic happens.

Not every project goes smoothly. Can you share a moment that tested your partnership, and how you worked through it?

Honestly, we’ve never really had any major conflict or friction; working together has always been pretty smooth. Alby’s the kind of guy who never gets angry and always sees the glass half full, even when the conditions aren’t perfect. Of course, there’s the classic photoshoot curse, tight deadlines and no win, but that’s usually when the best rider and filmmaker emerge. Somehow, we always manage to make it work.

One moment that maybe tested things a bit was when Laci decided to leave his full-time job at Alby’s kite resort in Sicily to focus on his career. But even then, it was all positive; he kept returning every summer to shoot, and eventually moved himself and his business here permanently. So yeah, even the big changes only made the partnership stronger.

How has your dynamic evolved, from early shoots to where you are now? Has your creative process changed?

Our dynamic has definitely evolved over the years, both in how we work and how the tools around us have changed. On a technical level, everything’s gotten a lot easier and faster. Drones are super efficient now (especially in Laci’s hands), cameras shoot in almost no light, batteries last longer, and the gear is more user-friendly. Gone are the days of shooting from helicopters or risking a full DSLR setup in the water without proper housing.

Creatively, we’ve also become more structured. Back then, it was more about grabbing and just going for a camera. Now there’s way more pre-production and planning involved. We think more about the what, when, and who before even hitting record. The formats have shifted, too. When we started, it was all about long-form Vimeo edits and magazine stills. Then came the YouTube era, and now it’s short vertical reels everywhere. You’ve got to keep up and “surf” the wave of the trends. Lately, Laci’s been getting back into longer vlog-style episodes on YouTube, and people seem to be loving it, so we keep evolving with it.

What’s next for you two? Are there any new projects, destinations, or ideas in the pipeline we should watch out for?

We’ve got some exciting things coming up! 2025 marks our 10th season at ProKite in Sicily, so we’re planning something special to celebrate that milestone. Stay tuned for it. We’re also diving more into the wave side of things, and Laci’s been getting some proper ocean training to be ready when the big swells roll in. Hopefully, you’ll see that reflected in some fresh new content soon.

On the creative front, Laci is growing his local media company, AMUNÌ MEDIA, with a few passion projects in the pipeline. One of them is a personal profile on Alby for his unORDINARY YouTube series, plus a brand-new local podcast where Alby will be the first guest of honour, of course!

And as always, come to Sicily if you want to ride with us! The summer season here is epic; we’re riding almost every day in boardshorts from now until October. See you on the water!

Videos

Alby Rondina @ProKite
Cabrinha Italy - The Team
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.