ALESSANDRO PONZANELLI
Alessandro Ponzanelli started surfing when he was 12 in the seaside area of Versilia, in Northen Tuscany. He immediately fell in love with the gliding style of longboards. From then on he always looked to the likes of Joel Tudor and those that were following that lineage both locally in Italy and the world over. Proper single-fin surfing is Alessandro’s passion.
The poor and inconsistent surf conditions of Italy pushed him to travel a lot from a young age to gain access to better quality waves. This helped him to advance his surfing quickly while also giving him a well rounded view on the world and life. Alessandro is a genuinely happy, humble and funny guy to be around and is why he is close to so many people around the world. However the strong connection he has with his native land and the sea always brings him home. Alessandro knows that the Italian sea is very moody and requires heart and pure dedication to learn, track and enjoy the waves when they do get good. A task he enjoys and welcomes as being part of an Italian surfer.
Alessandro has been crowned the Italian Longboard Champion 4 times. In 2005 he participated at the Biarritz Surf Festival, stage qualifier for the European Championship, finishing in 7th place overall. In 2012 he reached the final at the MSA Classic in Malibu placing 5th overall. A monumental achievement in his eyes as he was the first Italian surfer to do so among some of the best single-fin long boarders of the time. This recognition just confirmed what we all know by just watching him surf…he is a master single-fin longboarder.
Alessandro’s been collaborating for more than a decade with the clothing company Sundek and he currently works at their flagship store in Forte dei Marmi in between his world travels. You can see more of him in the film “Bella Vita” by Jason Baffa.
Facebook: Ale Ponzanelli