Filippo Mercuriali to Debut with his Flying Fish Board at the Spring SUP Race

The SUP season is officially underway, and for Italian racer Filippo Mercuriali, it all begins at home. This weekend, the Italian racer kicks off his 2025 campaign at the Spring SUP Race in Comacchio, the first ICF SUP World Ranking event of the year, marking his first official competition aboard his new Flying Fish Freedom Pro. From his early days paddling in Bellaria Igea Marina to competing on the national stage, Filippo has evolved into a dedicated athlete and ambassador for the sport. With a new Flying Fish board beneath his feet and the support of his home club crowd, he’s ready to take on the season ahead. Join us as we dive into his journey, his new ride, and his ambitions for 2025!

Hi Filippo and welcome to TotalSUP! We are honoured to have you join us today! First and foremost can you tell us about how you started start stand-up paddling?

Hello everyone, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to share a little about myself. The first time I encountered a stand-up paddleboard was in 2012, specifically in my hometown, Bellaria Igea Marina, a small seaside tourist town. I was asked to learn how to use it so that I could later teach and give lessons to tourists who would crowd the beaches during the summer. So I first learned how to teach this discipline. As time went on, I noticed that every hour spent on the board was a gift for me, and I began training with it. Back then, I used all round boards, 11 feet long, and an aluminum paddle.

In Italy the sport had already been around for a few years and for the first time, the Italian Championship made a stop in my city. The top Italian athletes were there, who either have made or are still making the history of Italian SUP, like Leonard and Claudio Nika, Paolo Marconi, a young Riccardo Rossi, and Giordano Bruno Capparella. That was my first race. I still remember that I used a 12-foot inflatable board and, armed with my adjustable aluminum paddle (which I think weighed at least 1kg), I finished 22nd among the amateurs. I was happy and had so much fun.

From there, until the end of the season, I participated in other Italian stops, and my passion grew so much that in 2013 I decided to buy my first race board: a 12’6 x 24 (back then, those seemed narrow), and of course, I also bought a more performance-oriented and, above all, lighter paddle. Since 2013 there hasn’t been a single day when I’ve doubted wanting to continue doing this sport. There is still so much to discover, and I want to help this world do so.

It sounds like you came from humble beginnings! Can you share a memorable experience or challenge you faced in your recent paddling racing career?

Every year, new young talents emerge, especially in Italy but also internationally; they are my challenge every day and every season. Thanks to the continuous growth of our sport, more and more clubs are investing in young athletes from an early age, and it doesn’t take long before you find them next to you on the starting line—or why not… even ahead of you at the finish. This year I’ll be turning 31, and I can assure you that if it weren’t for these young athletes “on fire” at the starting line, everything would be different. They allow me to keep my spirit and mind young and motivated—the body will follow accordingly.

We love to hear your drive and motivation to keep training! What do you love most about stand-up paddling, and racing? How has it impacted your life?

What I love most about Stand Up Paddling is definitely the fact that every session, every training, and every race is different from the previous one, presenting a new challenge each time. There isn’t a single day on the water that makes me feel like my training was the same as the day before. The sea, the currents, the winds, the waves, the temperature—everything changes, and interpreting and adapting to these elements is what, in my opinion, makes this the most complete sport of all. And I’m not just talking about the physical aspect but also about adaptability to the environment and opponents. SUP is an essential part of who I am; I’m an athlete, an instructor, and a physical trainer. I even wrote my thesis on this sport, and it has allowed me to meet so many friends and valuable people in my life.

We are so curious to know… How did you discover Flying Fish boards, and what made you choose them for your paddle training?

By closely following the world of SUP racing, I have witnessed the positive and rapid rise of the Flying Fish Board brand in this sport. I am naturally a very curious person, and since I haven’t chosen to commit to a specific sponsor in recent years, I started researching these new boards that were achieving great results on the international scene. I began reaching out to athletes whom I considered to have similar physical characteristics to mine, asking them which Flying Fish Board model they were using and how they felt about it. Through this process, I was able to find what is now my board, and I must say—I am truly happy with my choice.

We are very happy that you are happy with your choice! In your opinion, what sets Flying Fish boards apart from other brands on the market?

First of all, I have to highlight the incredible opportunity to customize every single aspect of the board—from width to handles and their positioning, color, volume… In short, whether you’re an expert or a beginner, you can finally have a board that fully adapts to your characteristics. Until now, the market has been different—you could only find mass-produced boards that you had to adapt to, not the other way around. In my opinion, this is the added value that truly sets Flying Fish Board apart.

Incredible! Can you describe the performance characteristics of your favorite Flying Fish board?

Right now I’m using a Flying Fish Board Freedom Pro model, 14ft x 21.75” with 282 liters of volume. I consider it the most all-around board out there and the best I’ve ever used. It’s width provides me, at 78kg, with the stability I need to perform at my best in any condition—whether in rough waters or flat conditions—without sacrificing speed. With its 10kg weight and refined shape, this board is incredibly maneuverable and agile, both in turns and when drafting. In short, I would describe it as a truly fun board to ride!

The Freedom Pro is definitely a fun board to ride! How do you choose the right board for different paddling conditions or activities?

I believe that training the connection between the rider and their board is often an overlooked aspect, but if taken to the highest level, it can significantly enhance performance—perhaps even more than choosing between three different board types for each race. Right now, I’m focusing on a single board so I can develop the deepest possible connection with it—making it feel like an extension of my body. This year, I want to test this board to its limits, pushing it to the max to understand it even better. If I could choose a new board to receive tomorrow, I’d love to try a slightly narrower model to enhance my performance in flat conditions. But for now, I’m just excited to kick off the racing season and see what we’re truly capable of!

What tips would you give to other stand-up paddling racers, athletes and coaches?

A sincere piece of advice I would give is to share this sport as much as possible with others. I would encourage a beginner to find another rider at their level—or even a new enthusiast—to share training sessions, trips, and experiences. I would advise athletes to share their journey and sports career as much as possible through social media to inspire and ignite the passion of the next generation in this sport. Finally, I would suggest that coaches strive to bring together and unite as many paddlers as possible. I believe there are many amateur athletes training alone without a structured plan or the right motivation. The guidance of an experienced coach can only increase passion and drive, helping more people discover just how amazing this sport truly is.

That is truly sound advice. Thank you for sharing! How do you incorporate creativity and fun into your paddling sessions?

I actually have two ways to have fun while training. The first, and my absolute favorite, is traveling around Italy to meet some of my fellow paddlers and spending time training with them. The second, a bit less conventional, is chasing the wakes of fishing boats returning to the harbor. I live in a place where waves are scarce, so I can assure you that even those 50cm waves created by a passing boat can be incredibly fun—especially when you ride them for several minutes while waving to the fishermen coming back from their shift!

Super! What are your goals for the future in stand-up paddling, and do you have any upcoming projects or races you’re excited about?

My primary goal is always to have as much fun as possible. Since SUP has become—and is increasingly becoming—a professional opportunity for me, I have a few projects in mind that I hope to reveal soon. As for racing, I’m more excited than ever that the season is about to start! I couldn’t be happier knowing that it will kick off with the Spring SUP Race—you could say I’ll be playing at home, and I can’t wait. In addition to competing in several stops of the Italian Championship, I’ll be preparing thoroughly for two major international events—one in Greece and the other in Austria. You’ll definitely see me there!

Thank you so much Filippo for taking the time to share your story with us, and we wish you nothing but the best of luck with your racing season ahead of you!

To find out more about Flying Fish visit www.flyingfishboardco.com

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