Grande
Roberto
when Tahiti
encounters Italy
Words: Mathieu Foilard
Photos: Andréas
Roberto Ricci needs no introduction, the waterman from Italy has spent
his whole life in the ocean and he has forged the huge RRD brand from it
too. His early days as a windsurfing pioneer in the 1980s turned into a
love of shaping, and he’s never looked back. When kitesurfing came on
the scene, he embraced it with Manu Bertin from France who was one of
the first kitesurfers on the planet. Then when SUP arrived Roberto turned
his attentions to the new sport, and it now makes up a significant part of
the RRD brand.
Mathieu Foilard was born in Brittany, grew up in Africa and now spends his days shredding
the waves in Tahiti with his dad. Mathieu joined RRD a few years ago now and has featured
in numerous photo shoots riding the immense waves that Tahiti has to offer. When Roberto
invited him to visit the headquarters in Italy Mathieu jumped at the chance, but he had no
idea what was in store for him when he arrived in Tuscany. Over to Mathieu for the story.
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