Light Board Corp Riders descend on ESL Stop #2 Lido Gandoli, Taranto: Meet Narcy Madeddu & Fabrizio ‘Gas’ Gasbarro

As the European SUP League (ESL) circuit heads to southern Italy, Lido Gandoli in Marina di Leporano will host three days of top-level stand-up paddle racing from 1-3 May. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Ionian Sea, the event will feature over €7,000 in prize money and bring together some of Europe’s best athletes.

Among them – fresh off the wire – are newly signed riders joining the Light Board Corp – the brand behind the PARADOXA board, SUP Alps Trophy race series and one of the most talked-about events on the calendar, the Lake Rocks Festival – bringing serious SUP firepower and deep racing know-how to the team.

We’re catching up with Narcy Madeddu, 45, from Lake Iseo, pro racer and founder and coach of Surface SUP Academy, and Fabrizio ‘Gas’  Gasbarro, 55, from Rome – elite paddlers who’ll be lining up at the start line on their killer PARADOXA boards.

Hi Narcy and Gas – welcome to TotalSUP! How did your journey into competitive SUP start and when did things get serious?

Narcy Madeddu said:

My journey into competitive stand-up paddling actually began in the Wave Riding discipline while I was living in the Canary Islands. Over more than 10 years there, I had the unique opportunity to connect with some of the absolute legends of the sport.

Back in 2012, I was surrounded by some of the strongest SUP race riders in the world at the time, including Eric Terrien, Belar Díaz, Branislav Sramek, Susanne Lier and Sonni Hönscheid. They were the ones who truly encouraged me to transition into racing.

They gave me the incredible chance to train alongside them, which eventually led me to enter my first competitions. I started with the Canarian Championship and went on to various stages of the Spanish Championship, including EuroTour events whenever they stopped in the islands.

Narcy Madeddu

Fabrizio ‘Gas’ Gasbarro said:

I started in 2010 out of curiosity and for fitness. My competitive career began in 2011, when I won the Italian Championship in the 12’6 and 14’ categories.

From 2011 to 2021, I won the European title in long distance and technical racing on the EuroSUP Tour for two years, and I took part in major international races such as the Jever SUP World Cup in Hamburg, Camp David, Paddle of the Paddle in California, Lost Mills, Namur, and many other international events.

Fabrizio ‘Gas’ Gasbarro

The Light Riders have built a bit of a hype crew reputation – what’s it really like being part of the Light Board Corp squad and does it push you to perform differently?

Narcy: When Gerd Weisner first made me the proposal and I went to the website to check out the team roster, I was incredibly excited. Seeing my name alongside athletes of such high calibre is a huge honour, and I feel truly privileged to be part of this squad.

Being surrounded by the best definitely pushes me to give even more. It motivates me to prove the value of the opportunity I’ve been given, working hard to elevate both my own reputation and the prestige of these fantastic boards. When you’re riding for a brand like Light Board Corp, you want your performance to reflect the quality of the gear under your feet.

Narcy Madeddu

Fabrizio: This year I returned to the Italian and international race circuit after a few years of only casual training. Seeing the success of a team like Light Board Corp – with old legends (my former JP teammate Peter Weidert, Arnd Duzinger, Gerd Weisner, and my national and team friends Roberto, then Alessandro, and finally Narcy) still competing with passion and dedication, alongside the new “young guns” who will be tomorrow’s champions – has been incredibly motivating.

All of this, on a board like the PARADOXA, pushed me to rediscover that same drive that brought me back onto the podiums in the 2026 races and is now pushing me towards my limits, and even beyond them.

Let’s talk gear: what’s your take on the PARADOXA board – what makes it stand out and where does it really shine?

Narcy: The PARADOXA has been an absolute game-changer for me. I’ve been using race boards for about 20 years now, but it’s honestly incredible how, in just one week, I managed to beat all my personal bests – from the 5km and 10km distances right down to the sprints. It is a fantastic board, and to be honest, I feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface of its full potential.

So far, I can say with certainty that it’s an incredible flat-water machine. I’ve also tested it in light choppy conditions, and the stability is mind-blowing, especially considering it’s only 21″ wide. Living on Lake Iseo, I don’t always get the heavy sea conditions you’d find on the coast, so I still need to test its limits in really rough water. However, in both downwind and upwind sections on the lake, the board behaves perfectly.

Even with its specific nose shape and rocker profile, the stability goes far beyond my expectations. Besides being lightning-fast, it’s remarkably light, which makes every stroke feel more efficient.

Fabrizio:  The PARADOXA is a board that excels in flat water and slightly choppy conditions, specifically designed for lakes and rivers, but also for sheltered bays. Its main features are speed and exceptional handling in turns and pivots.

Its weight, hull shape, and the “dugout” under the streamline make it a real speed machine: with every stroke, acceleration and top speed are so high that it’s one of the fastest boards on the market.

Fabrizio ‘Gas’ Gasbarro

Looking ahead to the season, what’s on your radar – and what are you chasing this year?

Narcy: For this season, my primary goal is definitely to defend my Italian Master Champion title that I earned in 2025. Beyond that, I’m aiming to make my mark on the international circuit, testing my skills against even stronger riders on the global stage.

However, my biggest motivation of all comes from my role as a coach. I manage a club – Surface SUP Academy – here on Lake Iseo, and my greatest objective is to be the best possible role model for my team – especially for my youth squad. I have a fantastic group of kids in the U14, U12, and U10 categories.

Narcy with young SUP athletes from his Surface SUP Academy

For me, competing is the best way to show them that any goal is achievable with the right amount of sacrifice. I want to prove to them that everything is within reach… we just have to believe in ourselves and truly want it. They are the real reason I push myself to be better every single day.

Fabrizio:  My goals are to win the Italian National Championship and the absolute title, to win the ICF international races, and to reach the ICF World Championship with serenity, but confident and motivated.

Thanks a lot Narcy and Fabrizio – we can’t wait to catch up with you in Taranto!

Photo by Andy Klotz

To find out more about LIGHTBOARDCORP® designs, visit lightboardcorp.com  and check out our full interview with Gerd Weisner

Follow Light Board Corp on Facebook and Instagram 

Follow Narcy Madeddu on Instagram and check out his Surface SUP Academy

Follow Fabrizio ‘Gas’ Gasbarro on Instagram