Watermen
Gollito is without doubt a dominant force in freestyle windsurfing, and Airton’s skills in strapless riding are out of this world. Nonetheless, both icons no longer stick to the restrictions of their sports. On an unguarded moment, Gollito Estredo can be caught flying a kite, while Airton Cozzolino is ever keen to show his windsurfing skills, especially in the waves. ‘It wouldn’t be the first time that I arrive on the beach to find my freestyle set missing’, Gollito says, ‘That’s just how it goes. Airton takes my windsurf gear, so I steal his kite!’.
‘Windsurfing is hard!’, Airton says, ‘I’d say that one hour of windsurfing is as exhausting as four hours of kiting’, yet he rides the wave on windsurf gear like a natural. ‘I wouldn’t put it like that. I do the same thing as I would on my surfboard, just with a sail mounted on it.’ Meanwhile Gollito doesn’t see his future hanging from the lines of a kite. ‘If anything, after freestyling, I hope to extend my windsurf career in slalom. I will start competing in 2016 for the first time. I think I need to become a bit heavier though, about five kilo’s would do’.