Escaping the Cold
Nicola Spadea (Fanatic / Gun Sails) made his debut on the PWA Freestyle World Tour in 2008, but seven years on the Italian’s attention is turning more towards the world of waves - at least when it comes to competitions. Up to now Spadea has been on the cusp of the world’s overall top 16 and in 2012 he finished in 19th place. Elsewhere he has previously broken into the top ten during European contests. As an aspiring wave sailor a long and cold winter can make it difficult to progress, but luckily for Spadea he managed to escape a large portion of the winter, this time around, by heading to one of the homes of windsurfing - Maui. After a winter away we caught up with Nicola for an interview, which you can read below:
PWA: First of all who is Nicola Spadea?
NS: “I’m a lucky person.”
PWA: Age?
NS: “27”
PWA: Number of years windsurfing?
NS: "15"
PWA: Sponsors?
NS: “Gun Sails, Fanatic, MaverX, Ion, Spadea vela club.”
PWA: Single? Married? Relationship?
NS: “I’m in relationship with a beautiful girl!”
PWA: Where are you based?
NS: “I’m based in Formia, Italy.”
PWA: How many languages can you speak?
NS: “Mother tongue Italian. l can speak fluently English, Spanish & Portuguese, by the way l’m always interested to learn some new word or sentence in foreign languages, l know quite a lot from all the place where l have been and all the cultures l met travelling during the years of windsurfing its been very helpful on this side.”
PWA: Why is windsurfing your passion?
NS: “Passion is the instinct that push you to do the things you want and windsurfing is mine, is the inspiration to live your life, windsurf is my passion because l like it and makes me feel good!”
PWA: You spent part of your winter in Maui - how were the conditions when you were there?
NS: “I landed on Maui at the end of October to take part at the “Starboard Severne PWA Aloha Classic” and from that moment the Pacific Ocean never stopped to hit the north-shore for three months, in terms of waves the winter has been very consistent, we have had several big swells and good times at Ho’okipa.”
PWA: Why Maui over anywhere else?
NS: “Maui is the windsurfing “mecca” it is where all the best athletes lives or go to train, l wanted to ride waves and there l founded “bread for my theet”.”
PWA: What does Maui mean in terms of windsurfing to you?
NS: “Windsurfing in Maui can be very challenging but on the other hand can be so rewarding. In my opinion Hawaiian waves can be considered between the best & biggest waves on the planet.”
PWA: Favourite quote or motto that you try to live by?
NS: “Carpe diem.”
PWA: Favourite food and drink?
NS: “Italian food with a good wine.”
PWA: If you were a super hero which special power would you choose?
NS: “To fly.”
PWA: Favourite location you have been?
NS: “South America, l like the energy of that country.”
PWA: Location(s) you want to visit and why?
NS: “I’ll tell you three: Australia because l heard very nice things about it, Indonesia because l would like to know more about their culture and Fiji but don’t ask me why. Obviously l want to go in all these place with a board bag.”
PWA: Outside of windsurfing what do you do?
NS: “I’m graduated in Sport Science and specialised in Science and Techniques of Preventive and Adapted Physical Activities. During the summer time since ten years l manage a watersport center in Vindicio, Formia’s beach where with a group of passionate sailors we share our passions. At the moment I am joining a course to be Federal instructor in Italy.”
PWA: What are you plans for the next year or two?
NS: “First of all be healthy, then from the 29th of April till the 4th of May I’ll be at the famous spot of Coluccia, in Sardinia where l organised a “ Windsurf Stage” open to all levels.”
“After it plans are a lot as dreams, but what is sure at the moment is that I’ll compete more & more in waves, I’ll never stop freestyle andIl’ll do some slalom at home.”
“From June I’ll keep spreading my passion at the Spadea vela club and looking forward l hope to open another centre in a very good wave spot, this way I’ll be motivated to go to work everyday!”
PWA: Thanks Nicola.
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