Riding Italian Waves

Photography By Tommaso Pardini

Photographer Tommaso Pardini gives us a glimpse into the Italian surf culture and talks about how surf photography saved his life.

Versillia, Italy

What came first, surfing or photography?

Photography came first. I’m not the greatest surfer and I like small and chilly waves to longboard, so I prefer to swim with my camera and tell the story through my eyes.

My Dad introduced me to surfing when I was a little kid and has been one of my greatest passions since. At the age of 11, I started to play football became professional and I quit surfing. In 2012, I got injured so I decided to move to London for work and I discovered my passion for photography. I always loved to take pictures; when I was a kid I always asked to my mum to buy me a disposable camera when I went on a school trip or when we were going on holiday and the real love started in London.

I began shooting with my iPhone and uploading the pictures to Instagram and noticed that people really liked them. When I returned to my hometown of Versila, Italy, my friend lent me a camera to shoot a Quiksilver competition and that’s when I got into surf photography.

What is the surf culture like where you live in Italy?

The surf culture in Italy is a lot more deep than people could think. Where I live in Versilia, it is known as the birthplace of the first surfing association in our country. Some of the best surfers in Italy come from here and Tuscany has some of the best surf spots in Italy.

The environment makes it unique: you can see the pier and the Alps from the lineup and after the session you can have the best food in the world and double your happiness (or console yourself for a shitty session). Tuscany is really similar to California but with lot more history to tell and to discover when you travel here. The people are amazing and friendly outside of the water; in the water, however, we have some deep localism we call “campanilismo”..

How has surf photography shaped you as a person? How has it changed your life?

I don’t think surf photography shaped me, I just put everything I have inside into a photo. It did save my life, however. I was going through a bad period in my life and being out in the sea and having the chance to tell what I feel with my eyes, without speaking, really helped.

Is there anywhere you would like to shoot and surf ?

My dream is Pipeline. I’m training and when I’m be ready, I’m going to shoot Pipe from the water. I’m also in love with Iceland, Alaska, New Zealand, Chile, and Canada, all amazing places that I want to go on a surf trip.

What are the current projects you are working on?

I’m working on a sort of documentary about surfing in Italy. I’m still collecting clips and I don’t know how long it will take; I’m never happy of my pictures and videos, so when I feel it’s time, I’ll edit the video. Also, I’m working on a printed magazine called Surf Cursed.