Passionate IKO Kitesurf Assistant Trainer - Guido Ruzzenenti - from Italy, shares some of his favorite kitesurf spots with us, explains how he started kiting and goes over his career goals. Let's dive in...

How did you start kiting?

I've always been passionate about the sea and sailing boats. I started kiting in 2012 thanks to a friend who practiced the sport. 

It was love at first sight - the first course with an IKO Instructor, the continuous training and then the passion for teaching.

I'm fortunate because I live 10 minutes away from Talamone - the most beautiful and windy spot in Tuscany, Italy. 

What's your favorite kitesurf destination?

The next one I visit!

It's thanks to kitesurfing that I traveled a lot in the last eight years and in particular from 2014 to today. I decided to leave my “normal job” and become a full-time kitesurf instructor.

I've been to Cabo Verde, the Canary Islands, Thailand, Vietnam,Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua and the Dominican Republic... but I lost my heard in South Africa. 

Cape Town has a particular light, wind conditions and countless spots that you can't forget.

For these reasons, I spend two months of vacation/training in South Africa every year with my wife Marica, who's also an IKO Kitesurf Instructor. 

What's your favorite IKO Center?

I visited several IKO Centers around the world and I must say that they're all inspired by the same “sport philosophy” - safety, fun, good vibes and professionalism. 

These are things that I immediately appreciated at KTS Tarifa run by Daniele Olivieri, IKO Examiner and owner of the school.

The shop and kitesurf school is full of new equipment, the staff is amazing and, of course, the spot - Tarifa - is legendary. 

What's your most rewarding teaching experience?

After several other schools advised him against kitesurfing, I had the opportunity to teach a student who had one shorter arm, one shorter leg and some motor difficulties on the right side of his body.

Actually, it was simpler than I thought. I asked him what movements he could do and what difficulties his handicap entailed.

We set a goal and we found a way together to achieve it.

He spent the whole summer going only in one direction and walking to come back, and nothing more.

He knows he will always have to kite in a lagoon with shallow water but he doesn't care.

For many students, it's all about testing themselves and nothing else. This reminds me a Bethany Hamilton's quote: "I don't need easy, I just need possible"

What are your kite or career goals?

Being a kitesurf instructor gives me great satisfaction. Even after several years, I always teach with the same passion as my first day and my first student. But now a new “love” has begun: training new IKO Kitesurf Assistants to help assist instructors and independent riders.

I've like to eventually become an IKO Examiner and train new generations of kitesurf instructors all around the world.