October 26th, 2015 – “At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun,” once said Sandy Gingras. And this phrase has been chosen by Gianfranco Battistini to better represent himself and his world. The athlete, 26-year-old from Anzio, is a surfer: to train and compete – “and to find the perfect wave” – he frequently travels abroad. “This sport gives me the opportunity to travel a lot: I was in France, Spain, Portugal, Hawaii, Indonesia. It’s beautiful and inspiring to know people, places, different cultures.” That of September in Morocco, in Casablanca, is only the latest of his “adventures” in the waves. “I participated in the European surfing championships, Eurosurfing 2015. This year Italy came prepared, with a high level team. For me – explains Battistini – it was an educational experience. Definitely a step forward: my first national team experience. Being able to represent my country abroad makes me proud.” Battistini however, is a natural sportsman. “After practicing many sports, including professional football (he played for Ternana and Gubbio, ed), I decided to go back to the sea. I was 13 when my uncle gave me my first board: it was love at first sight. But then I started to play football like all Italian children. That all changed six years ago when, between the ball and the board, I chose the board. Today in Italy football is the most common sport offered to children. I hope that one day things will change.” And in the meantime something has already changed: “I have a beach resort in Anzio. I live by the sea all year round, and this allows me to teach children this sport: surfing is a healthy activity that brings you into contact with nature and that helps you overcome fears and insecurities. Often children are afraid to get close to the water but contact with it is a fundamental step in gaining self-confidence. Over the past 10 years much has changed in the approach to this sport. People travel abroad and discover it outside national borders; and many realized that it is a practicable sport even in Italy. In Anzio, there is a nice group of surfers.” The athlete is an ION testimonial and is sponsored by Liquid Surf Shop, in a fascinating and evocative video with Battistini, the sea, the waves… “The great thing about surfing is that it allows you to travel so much. It opens up your mind, it makes you discover new horizons! Of course, there are risks: surfing was born as an extreme sport. In Hawaii, I ended up spending seven days in the hospital. But a wave is an easier challenge than a shark. Long live Surf! Always!” (Gil)
