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Niccolo Porcella: All Grown Up

By Ryan Riccitelli

Originally Published in the August 2009 Issue of The Kiteboarder Magazine

I was on vacation in Maui back in 2000 when I crossed paths with Niccolo Porcella for the first time. I remember it like it was yesterday because he immediately lipped off to me. He yelled, “Watch your lines!” as I was getting ready to take a session on my two-line Wipika. I was not used to a young punk talking to me like this, so I immediately told him how I felt. He giggled and said he was joking. I knew he wasn’t. What I did not know was that this was the beginning of a great friendship with one of the most talented and amazing prodigies of our sport. In the next year, Niccolo went on to reach legendary status around the world as the shredding 13-year old kiteboarder featured in magazines and on DVDs. He was still a little punk, but he began traveling the world at an age where most kids were in grade school. Niccolo grew up quicker than most. Hang out with him for a day and you will quickly see he is way beyond his years. In the last few, Niccolo has matured into a young adult and has grown up considerably. I check in with him periodically and have been waiting for the right moment to tell his story. Niccolo was not the first kite grom, but he was the most visible because of his close friendship with Lou Wainman. His dedication and natural talent fueled a new generation of kiters.

Niccolo Porcella Interview

How long have you been kiting and how long have I known you?

I started kiting in the summer of 2000, and that’s when I met you. It’s been almost 10 years now”¦ [laughs] no way.

How did you become involved in kiteboarding?

I saw it for the first time in the summer of ’99 when Flash Austin came to Sardinia. It caught my attention, and that’s when I said, like, that’s what I want to do. I came to Maui in 2000, the year afterwards, and that’s when I started. I started with Mauricio Toscano – he taught me how to kite, and then I was always at the beach with Lou [Wainman], Morris [Mauricio Abreu], Elliot [LeBoe]; all the boys.

Many people do not know your brother is a bad ass windsurfer. Is he still pushing the limits there?

Yea, my brother [Francisco] rips not only at windsurfing, but surfing as well. On those big days, he’s one of the few that will get your attention real quick. He has fearless power and style. He’s definitely always pushing the limits in windsurfing, for sure.

Who were some of the people you learned from during the early days on Kite Beach in Maui? Are you still close to any of riders from that original Kite Beach crew?

Well, you know, if I have to start saying the names, it would take forever, but yea, there’s definitely all the crew. Elliot, Lou, Mauricio, you know, and Jim Bones. All the young riders are all there too. I’m definitely still friends with a lot of the crew from the old days.

As the grom at Kite Beach, you went through a fair amount hazing from the older riders. What were some of the things you had to put up with as the kid of the group?

They would make me do all the stupid stuff for sure, and I would get a little bit worked every once in a while, but everybody took care of me. It was pretty amazing. Now that I look back due to this interview I want to thank everybody that kept an eye on me, fed me, gave me rides, and basically told me the right things to do. As much as I was the little grom getting picked on, at the same time everybody loved me. It’s actually a really nice group of people that are really passionate about the sport, and they saw me as a little grom and they all took care of me. It was really great.

What do you think about the scene at Kite Beach now compared to then?

There’s for sure more younger riders and there’s still a lot of us there having fun. I don’t know, back in the day, it was, I have to say, a little more exciting. You came down to the beach, and it was like, what am I going to see today? Just launching the kite was exciting, you know what I mean? The whole launch, everybody was like, “Are you ready? Check this one out. Frickin’ here we go! Frickin’ boom!” Now it’s a little more hi-tech. It’s a different vibe; for sure it’s focused more on tricks. Back then, every day was a little different, and now you kind of have a routine. Back then, you would discover something new every day; it was different, but it’s always fun, of course.

You have always been a determined guy. How has this helped you over the years?

It’s helped me to continue doing what I love to do, to follow the dream and do whatever it takes to get there. Always keep it fun, and live your dream, you know? What is/was your relationship with Lou Wainman? When I was a little kid, I think a lot of people looked at Lou as a God. To me, I was like, I want to be Lou Wainman. He’s been kind of like a step-father to me. He took care of me and I lived at his place for a little bit. I was basically, you know, learning his moves. Then, I had some injuries and had to do a few different things, but we’ve always been brothers; more than brothers. I mean, Lou and I have a super close relationship. He’s a great guy.

What was it like being featured in DVDs at such an early age?

For sure I was living the dream, I mean, that’s what I wanted to do. It’s funny, the other day I looked back at Unhooked, and I haven’t looked at it for three or four years. I was cracking up; it was really funny to see me as a grom.

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You were known for having a temper. How have you grown up since your younger years?

I’ll admit, for sure, I was really cocky back then. You know, I was 13 years old and 4-foot something. From 13 through 15, I looked like I was 10, but in my mind, I was grown up. I wanted to talk up; yea, I was cocky for sure. I’ve definitely mellowed out, but also, I like to charge, I like to have fun, and life is good.

What is your single greatest accomplishment?

Realizing how fun life is and how you need to be grateful for what you have. Keep dreaming big and do what you want to do. Do whatever’s fun, and believe in yourself. That’s been my biggest accomplishment, really understanding that.

After becoming a big name in the sport and being featured in all the magazines and videos, you seemed to disappear from the sport. What happened, and where have you been for the last few years?

Well, as I said, I had some really bad injuries and I also had some stressful years of my life. You know, things happen, and sometimes life takes some turns to teach you a few lessons. If you’re a strong guy and you’re determined, that only makes you stronger. I went through some hard times and learned some basics about life. Now I want it more than ever, to make it and do what I’ve dreamed of doing since I was born.

You and Jimmy Lewis have been friends for many years. How did you meet him and how has your relationship evolved over the years?

I’ve known Jimmy since I started kiting. I’ve been riding for Jimmy for 7 years. Jimmy’s another of my closest friends, I mean he’s Uncle Jimmy. He helped me out a ton and I’ve learned a lot from him. Anyone who knows him personally knows he’s one of the coolest, funniest people you’ll ever meet.

What projects are you currently working on and where will see you next?

I have some things in the works, but I kind of want to keep it secret for now. I want to be pushing the sport in big waves, small waves, wakeboard style, and kickers and rails. Kiting is a big part of me, but I also surf and towsurf a lot and I do my acrobatics. I do a bunch of things that I really have fun with in life right now, and they’re all helping me out to enjoy life more. I can’t wait to basically be a little more free so I can go ride and film in good conditions.

What kind of gear are you using these days and what type of riding do you enjoy most?

I’m using Jimmy Lewis boards and Wainman Hawaii kites right now. Jimmy boards are for sure my main boards. I’m using the 6’0” Thruster, 5’11” Thruster, and I have my 135 and 138 wakeboards. The Wainman Hawaii Rabbit kites are like a dream come true; to have some kites that you’re really proud to pump up at the beach and put in the air and fly is great. These kites are unbreakable, and they just fly so good and are so smooth. I love the kites I have right now.

Niccolo Porcella Interview The Kiteboarder Magazine

I watched you grow up from a teenager into a young man. What words of wisdom do you remember me giving you over the years?

Ryan, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, which is a lot. I remember that one day we were talking sh!t. I was so cocky, I think it was the day I met you, but we kind of connected. You’ve always told me all the good things about staying positive and just having fun and being appreciative for being at the beach and riding. Don’t let the fame get to your head and don’t get cocky, even if I was cocky, I mean, frick, sometimes it takes life lessons to realize it, but I was young. I think I was funny too though. I was a good kid. I was just cocky a little bit. I wanted everybody to be like, “Dude, you were killing it,” and I’d be like, “Dude, did you see that, brah, how sick was that?”

What is your primary focus now on the water?

To push the sport closer to surfing, or closer to wakeboard style. I’ll admit that waves are taking over right now, and I really want to make kiting look like surfing; to draw the same lines and do the same airs, I love that side of the sport, but also wakeboard style attracts me a lot. I want to keep inventing new moves and putting more style and power in everything I do. I’m trying to make it so I can kite even more, instead of teaching. I’m going through a phase where I have to work to survive, but that makes me want it even more. Lately I’ve been teaching more than kiting; I haven’t been practicing so much because I have to pay the bills, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to get some sponsors now where I can practice every day, and I can’t wait ”” I know I’ll be going off.

Originally Published in the August 2009 Issue of The Kiteboarder Magazine

was on vacation in Maui back in 2000 when I crossed paths with Niccolo
Porcella for the first time. I remember it like it was yesterday because he
immediately lipped off to me. He yelled, “Watch your lines!” as I was getting ready to
take a session on my two-line Wipika. I was not used to a young punk talking to me
like this, so I immediately told him how I felt. He giggled and said he was joking. I knew
he wasn’t. What I did not know was that this was the beginning of a great friendship with
one of the most talented and amazing prodigies of our sport. In the next year, Niccolo went
on to reach legendary status around the world as the shredding 13-year old kiteboarder
featured in magazines and on DVDs. He was still a little punk, but he began traveling the
world at an age where most kids were in grade school. Niccolo grew up quicker than most.
Hang out with him for a day and you will quickly see he is way beyond his years. In the last
few, Niccolo has matured into a young adult and has grown up considerably. I check in with
him periodically and have been waiting for the right moment to tell his story. Niccolo was
not the first kite grom, but he was the most visible because of his close friendship with Lou
Wainman. His dedication and natural talent fueled a new generation of kiters.