RESULTS
In 2016 I achieved my first true results. For the second time I got third place overall in the EFPT and 13th overall in the PWA. In my head I said, “Next year I want to be first in the EFPT and be one of the top ten riders in the PWA.” My expectations were exceeded! European champion and third overall in PWA!!! These are unforgettable moments and emotions. My first PWA podium will remain in my mind forever. Every morning I get up to go to ‘work’. Van, equipment, spots, wind, so much desire and sacrifice. Hours of physical and mental training. The body doesn’t abandon you, but sometimes thoughts can make you discouraged, because if you don’t see the results you want you can think about giving up and going back to a ‘normal’ life.
MATTEO GUAZZONI – RRD INTERNATIONAL MARKETING & TEAM MANAGER
Although I deal primarily with marketing, I am still excited by everything to do with the development of our new products, especially our freestyle boards. Having been a freestyle athlete in the past, and still having a passion for it, makes everything easier. In RRD we are lucky to have the workshop where the boards are designed and shaped directly in Grosseto. This year in particular we have an amazing freestyle team. We discuss and decide together which direction the development of our new boards must take. My role is as a bit of a ‘collector’ of ideas between the demands of our riders, Roberto and our shaper. The TwinTip v6 freestyle board was actually born before I joined RRD. The boys and Roberto had added some small changes to the previous version (the v5), which was already a good board. The v6 board keeps the same scoop line, double concave and vee. Our board is extremely easy and comfortable once you step on it. We decided to keep a quite pronounced double concave because we were happy about its stability and control in most conditions, especially when it gets more difficult in choppy water and small waves. Less double concave would probably give more acceleration but would be harder to control. In general the hardest part is to find the best compromise between speed and control.
We have reduced the length from 227 cm to 223 cm, increased the thickness and moved the footstrap positions more forward. A shorter board is easier in both air moves and sliding but the more you shorten it, the more technical it becomes. However this is the direction that all brands are taking. To keep the same volume you need to reduce the length and increase the thickness, trying not to loose sensitivity and reactivity. The freestyle level has risen a lot, the style and type of moves has changed into more air moves and double rotations. What is needed is to have speed and pop to fly higher and a shorter board to reduce the strength needed during those air rotations. Freestyle scoop lines are flat on the tail (no kick) to maximize early planing and have some vee/concave at the centre of the board. The rails are quite sharp at the back while progressively increasing the tuck towards the front. The volume distribution has changed recently, the thickest has to be on the tail and under the stance position in order to keep the board easy planing in both normal and switch stance as well as to maximize the pop. It’s a very technical board program, you need to work constantly with the riders and get their suggestions and feedback, but it’s fun as you have to try to be creative and innovate.
“ My advice to kids wanting to follow my path is to cultivate the true passion that everyone has inside. ”