Cabrinha Italy Team in Sicily
Features / Thu 7th Nov, 2019 @ 3:00 pm
Get to know the Cabrinha Italy crew in our latest interview, straight from ProKite Alby Rondina! If you haven’t watched their latest video, you better check it out below!
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“Hanging out and riding with your teammates its always been one of my favourite times as a pro rider, especially guys that ride different disciplines, and everyone brings their own style to the table! Its been fun hanging out, riding every day and seeing The Cabrinha Italy Crew pushing each other to their limits on the water!” – Alby Rondina
Meet The Team
Alessio Pintus
- Age: 16 years old
- Living in: Sardinia (Oristano)
- Discipline: Freestyle
- What gear do you ride? My gear is 12m, 10m and 8m FX, CBL 139, X Caliber 138
- Best tricks: My best tricks are bj5, double heart attack, 317 and slim5
- Dream spot: My favourites spots are Porto Botte and the lagoon of Mistras
Who are you and how did you get into Cabrinha team?
I started kiteboarding when I was ten years old. It all started when my father took me to Porto Botte to watch kitesurfing, and that very same day, I got my very first lesson! Since then, Alberto Rondina would visit Porto Botte every year to demo the Cabrinha gear, so when he saw how much I improved over the years, he made some calls and got me on the Cabrinha Italy team!
What is your kiteboarding style?
I used to ride at the cable park often, and I think that’s how I was able to progress so quickly in kiteboarding and integrate that style into my riding.
How was the shooting in Sicily? Were you happy with tricks?
I loved shooting in Siciliy and I was pleased with my tricks, but of course, I would have loved to add some more!
What was the best spot around the lagoon and why?
The best spot in the lagoon for me was the island. It was often windy and super flat regardless of what the wind direction was; it an incredible spot!
How did you enjoy shooting your intro?
It was hilarious! For my intro, we went go-karting, and while we were mid-race, I got a text saying “It’s windy!” and I basically drop everything and head to the beach to go kiteboarding.
Favourite food in Sicily?
My favourite food was Cannolo Siciliano; it’s delicious but I don’t think my dentist would be very impressed!
Plans for the next year?
Next year, I would like to travel and potentially join the GKA Freestyle World Tour.
Matteo Serra
- Age: 27
- Living in: Sardinia
- Discipline: Freestyle
- What gear do you ride? I ride 10m and 12m FX and CBL 142
- Best tricks: BJ5/ 317 / Slim Chance
- Dream Spot: Porto Botte / Mistras
Who are you, and how did you get into Cabrinha team?
Hi! My name is Matteo Serra, I’m 27 years old, and I live in Sardinia. I started kiting ten years ago, but I have been taking it seriously and working hard on it for the past five years. My brother initially taught me how to kiteboard (with the help of YouTube videos), along with some of our other friends; it wasn’t easy!
I entered a couple of Italian Championship stop’s and got second place on the last stop in Porto Botte and that when I got sponsored by Cabrinha, thanks to Markino who introduced me to Alby Rondina.
What is your kiteboarding style, and where would you like to see your career in 5 years?
Freestyle is my discipline and I plan on entering more competitions over the next five years, and to land more tricks!
How was the shooting in Sicily for you? Happy with tricks?
I enjoyed every minute of it and love riding with the crew! My sessions were fantastic but I think I could have pushed my riding even more!
What was the best spot around the lagoon and why?
The best spot is one close to the island, with flat water and a lot of space for training.
How did you enjoy shooting your intro?
Laci came up with excellent ideas for this video! For my intro, I was proposing to a girl on the pier, and in that crucial moment, a receive a text message that says “IT’S WINDY!” and I run off!
Favourite food in Sicily?
I like arancini with ragù.
Plans for the next season?
I’m heading to Australia and I plan on being there for six months. I am hoping to find a lot of people to train with there!
Yaris Dell’ Omo
- Age: 19
- Live in: Rome, Italy
- Discipline: Wave Strapless Freestyle
- What gear I ride: 4 kites, three surfboards, 4 bars, two wetsuits, one harness
- Best trick: Back tic tac, Rodeo front
- Dream spot: Le Morne, Mauritius
Who are you, and how did you get into Cabrinha team?
Hi, I started kitesurfing in 2006, but I didn’t really get into it right away! Initially, I did artistic gymnastics and then I started playing soccer. In 2016, I tried wave riding for the first time in Cape Verde and loved it, instantly. in 2017, I got sponsored for the first time and moved to Cabrinha in September 2018 with the help of Stefano Viscuso.
What is your kiteboarding style, and where would you like to see your career in 5 years?
The style that best represents me is freestyle or wave strapless, but sometimes I also enjoy riding twin tip for some big air! I have no idea where I’ll be in five years, but hopefully, with perseverance and commitment, I’d love to be among the best riders in the world!
How was the shooting in Sicily for you? Happy with tricks?
The shooting went very well, and it was great to do it with the other guys from the team! Fortunately, we had wind almost every day and luckily the last day of shooting, there were even a few waves! I gave it my best, but by training a little more, I can do even better.
How did you enjoy shooting your intro?
Yes, I had a great time. For my intro, I worked as a waiter for a day taking orders and bringing some cocktails to the table. During my intro scene, I was taking an order and suddenly got a text message saying ‘IT’S WINDY!’ and I just run off to go kiteboarding!
Favourite food in Sicily?
My favourite food in Sicily is arancini al ragù and cannoli with pistachio.
Plans for the next season?
I don’t have any plans set in stone yet, but I would love to join the GKA Kitesurf World Tour and the Italian Wave Championship.
Matthias Lancsár
- Age: 19
- Living in: Innsbruck, Austria
- Discipline: Freestyle
- What gear do you ride? X Caliber Wood 138 and FX, I like the 10m the most!
- Best tricks: Tailgrab KGB, Heart Attack Indy Grab, Slim5 Nosegrab
- Dream Spot: Taiba Lagoon, Brazil
Who are you, and how did you get into Cabrinha team?
Hi, my name is Matthias Lancsár, I’m 19 years old, and I live in South Tyrol and I am currently studying sports science in Innsbruck, Austria. In 2014, Alby became the new Cabrinha agent and he was trying to put together a young team of riders and luckily some people at my homespot on Lake Garda told him about me, so he decided to contact me.
What is your kiteboarding style, and where would you like to see your career in 5 years?
I’ve always been into freestyle as we don’t have any waves on Lake Garda. As I’m free to travel to different spots now, in five years, I see myself kiting in waves and enjoying every different discipline of kiteboarding, without focusing too much on landing new tricks for competitions.
How was the shooting in Sicily for you? Happy with tricks?
We had a blast! It’s been a fantastic week meeting up with the guys after quite a while. Unluckily though, I dislocated my shoulder just a few days before the shoot so I couldn’t show the best of my riding. But still, Prokite Alby Rondina delivered, and there’s just nothing like kiting with your friends around.
What was the best spot around the lagoon and why?
I have no doubt we had our best session on the North Cape of the island Santa Maria, just in front of Prokite Alby Rondina. The sun was setting and as it’s been windy all day. We were the only ones left in the water, and everybody did their best tricks. The water is so flat there; you can literally see the reflection of your kite. If you’re around Stagnone, make sure you visit that spot at sunset, you’re guaranteed to have goosebumps!
How did you enjoy shooting your intro?
For my intro, we went to a local barber’s shop, and I had to shave half my face! I thought the idea was pretty fun but AFTER shaving, Laci told me we had to wait for some proper wind to do some shots in the water, so I ran around with half of my face shaved off for a day…
Favourite food in Sicily?
I could eat arancini every day, they’re delicious! If you don’t know what they are, they are basically fried rice balls with spinach, ragout, prosciutto or whatever inside… the whole team loves them!
Plans for the next season?
This winter I’ll be pretty busy with my studies, but I’ll see to get back to kite on the lakes as soon as possible in spring, and then I guess I’ll be teaching for the summer at some windy spot around the world!
Photos by Laci Kobulsky
Text by Alby Rondina and the team riders
Spot: ProKite Alby Rondina
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.
