Hey Francisco, signing to 99Boards, riding for the legend that is Cesare Cantagali. Tell us, how did that all come about?
My family has known Cesare since before I was borned, and I always have had good memories since I was a little grom, he has seen me grow over the years, knowing I had the same passion, spirit and dreams of riding the best waves around the world, sharing the discoveries years after years. I will never forget his famous glob o tour, witch i hope to repeat one day with maybe Cesare in some of the trips riding and filming. Last year when we where done with the competition in Oristano (Sardegna), watching the waves breaking, we found an agreement for me to be a embassador of 99 custom boards.rider, witch also includes a pro model with my own graphics. Right after that, I went for a sunset session all alone in the beautiful waves of Capo Mannu, and I knew out there reflecting that we had the same ideas and thought, we both want to push 99 and its quality toys, couse.
Tell us a more about 99 custom boards, what are they doing? What is the company all about?
Im very happy to be a part of a young but fast growing company, with lots of experience behind it. They believe in me and together with our good mix of Gianni shaping great boards for many years, Cesare veteran of this sport and me a team rider that wants to charge, we can create the jewels of are passion. 99 has the toys to have a good time in the water, no matter what conditions.
So, what will you be riding in 2010? Single fins, Twins, thruster, Quads?
I will mostly use quads and thrusters, I like there grippy surfy feeling, I love to bring as much style in my riding as possible. But I do ride single fins too, for example I have a Jaws board, witch is a 8.0 single fin, narrow long and really heavy, made for going fast and getting through the famous chops at Jaws.. so when you dropping the face at 100 miles an hour Im sure I have a good board under my feet, that will handle the speed be stable with a BIG adrenaline rush. My 78 thruster is working good and i've been playing with the fin set up a lot to find the perfect set up. We working on with 99 to come out this summer with my own signature model witch will have quad set up, thruster and twin. Im exited to finally have my own line, and the graphics are gonna look insane!
In fact, let's ask, what do you consider important in a board?
I think having a fast rocker with a loose feeling is what we all look for, and now days boards have come so far, that it doesent matter how many fins you got under your board but how good the rails and rocker work in the different conditions mother nature gives us.
So with a new sponsor and new kit, does this mean you'll be aiming for the PWA wave tour title this year?
The PWA Wave tour looks like more side onshore wind spots and less real waves spots.. Thats why I rather go and get coverage in real ''Wave" spots where I enjoy riding and have a good time, pushing each other in the water and going for the most radical stuff and make it a great show will competing in it for your team. I feel like the conditions I grew up on and can performe on are not on the PWA event calender. I am really bummed Cabo Verde has been cancelled couse that was pure wavesailing. But I still hope on a brighter future with maybe three or four good wave events, where the best pros in the world create a show in the sickest waves you can wavesail in this beautifull world we have, thats a dream that I hope will come true in my windsurfing carer.
In preparation for that, have you been training hard over the winter? We've seen some footage of you surfing Jaws, and it looks immense. What have you been up to?
Yes its been an amazing winter, we will never forget it cause it was one of those special "el nino" winters. With lots of big swells, not much rain, lots of good waves = good rides and of course some good wipeouts! Now April has been super windy, me and Kai did it all this winter from tow-in the big swells at Jaws, to sailing a lot Hookipa. Its been really windy, so I guess good for all the photoshoots going on right now. Witch always means really crowded Hookipa with every one from pro to amatur wanting to ride as much waves as possible in "Hookipa" and be in the spot light with camera man and photographers shooting in and out of the water, so its kinda been a zoo out here at Hookipa lately, but what can you do when its the mecca of windsurfing, these are the busies months of the year.
Do you find the surfing helps with your wave sailing? I guess all time on the water is good? Do you think you can you use the surf style to good effect in wave competition?
Yes in general every time I get to ride waves, I learn more and more how to read the waves and where to be at the right time on the most critical spot, so yes surfing helps my windsurfing and more time in the water means more knowledge. And at times I train by setting my watch for a 20 minute heat at hookipa and making the most of it like if I was in a real heat (bummed on not having a contest at Hookipa any more).
So, looking ahead, what's your schedule for 2010? What events will you be heading to?
After finishing the photoshoots here in Maui, I'll be doing the Wave Classics Invitational, witch will be Morocco in may, and Reunion in september. Then will be in Sardegna doing testing on the boards, catching the conditions around the coast and producing pictures and videos in the wave spots around the island. Then in may I will be doing a couple of events like the Chia Classic, Sardinia Waterman and the Capo del Capo, witch are the most radical wave contents in Italy, and of course in my beatiful island where I grew up till I was 14. Im sure there will be more big waves at Jaws and I cant wait to ride this next winter. There will be more stuff, but right now im still figuring it out.
Any event in particular that you're really looking forward to in 2010?
Yes for sure the events in Sardegna and Morocco right after, witch I will be doing with my friends Kai Katchadourian and Zane Schweitzer.
So, final question, let's cut to the chase, Cesare created the forward loop, now you're riding his boards, what are you going to come up with?
What about double pushloop... stay tuned 99 and I-69 are gonna go off for 2010!! |
