Nicolò Ricco joins NSP: Dialled-in performance, matched with precision gear & team energy

At just 19, Nicolò Ricco represents a new generation of stand-up paddle athletes – one that, despite its young age, can be defined by a more methodical approach to training and competing, dialling in every factor and optimising performance over time.

A multiple Italian champion based in Bari, Italy, and the holder of several SUP world championship medals – including Vice World Champion in the Technical Race at the ICF Worlds in Florida – he now takes the next step in his progression with NSP, the brand backing one of the most active rider teams globally.

His move into the competitive side of the sport is relatively recent. Coming from a background in football, he first discovered SUP in 2020 during the COVID period, when team sports came to a halt. What began as a three-month summer camp quickly evolved. By spring 2021, he had made the decision to leave football behind and fully commit to racing.

Drawn to the individual nature of the sport – where results depend entirely on personal effort and determination – he found motivation in the daily challenge to improve, shaped by focused training, under the guidance of his coach and those who inspire him.

We caught up with Nicolò Ricco in the build-up to his next international race – the European SUP League Stop #1 at the World SUP Festival in Santa Pola – to talk about his move to NSP, his training and racing philosophy, and joining the team.

Hi Nicolò, welcome to TotalSUP! We’re stoked to officially cover your story on joining Team NSP! What made you decide to take this step and how has the experience been so far?

I started this journey with NSP right after the ISA World Championship in El Salvador. I had always admired NSP for its great ability to produce high-quality, high-performance boards, so once the World Championship was over, I decided to contact them and try to become part of their fantastic team.

From the very beginning, I found a group of truly outstanding people and athletes, with whom it’s easy to connect, ask for advice, and share ideas and experiences. For this reason, I’m absolutely happy with my choice, and I’m convinced that this season with NSP will be truly fantastic!

You’ve had a great start to the season with a win in the Spring SUP Race technical event and a bronze in the long-distance. How do you see the competitive field shaping up as the full season gets underway?

Yes, I’ve had a very strong start to the season, and I’m really happy about it, especially because the level of my competitors was extremely high. Competing against such strong athletes is always a great challenge, but also a huge motivation to give my best.

I’m sure that as the season goes on, the level of competition will get even higher, but that only motivates me even more. It’s in these highly competitive environments that I’m able to bring out the best in myself and continue to grow, both as an athlete and as a person.

What are your goals for the rest of the season now that you’ve kicked off with such strong results?

As of now, I’m fully focused on the next international race of the European SUP League – World SUP Festival in Santa Pola. It will be a very high-level competition, with many experienced and strong athletes, so it’s important for me to achieve a good result. I’m preparing in the best possible way, paying attention to every detail of my training – from the physical side to the technical aspects – to arrive at the race in the best possible condition.

As for the rest of the season, my goal remains the same: to be a better version of myself than the day before. I believe this approach, based on constant improvement, is the key to continuing to grow and achieve better and better results. At the same time, I want to enjoy every race and every experience, because these are exactly what allow me to learn and take another step forward in my journey.

This season with Team NSP, how do you expect touring and racing with the team to help your development? What are you hoping to learn from your teammates and how will they support you on and off the water?

Being part of Team NSP this season is a great opportunity for my development, both as an athlete and as a person. The level of the team is extremely high, and being able to train and compete alongside such strong and experienced athletes pushes me to improve every day.

What I really appreciate is that everyone in the team is always available to give advice, share their experience, and help you understand even the smallest details. For example, after the technical race at the Spring SUP Race, Antonio Morillo took the time to lend me his Carolina board and explain its balance and how it works. Moments like that are incredibly valuable and help me learn much faster.

Having teammates like this means a lot, not only on the water but also off it. There’s a great atmosphere in the team, and I’m sure that sharing experiences, feedback, and support throughout the season will play a key role in my growth.

Could you walk us through your NSP board setup? Which NSP boards are you using? Any favourites already?

For this season, I’ll mainly be using the Ninja Evo 14×20 and the Carolina Evo 14×20.5. At the moment, I don’t have a favourite board yet, as I’m still testing them and getting to know them better in different conditions.

However, I’m pretty sure I’ll end up really loving the Ninja, especially for its speed. It already gives me some great sensations on the water, and I think that over time I’ll be able to make the most of its full potential.

Is there a particular SUP racing format (Tech, Sprints, LD) you’re focusing on this season?

As for me, my goal is to become a well-rounded athlete, capable of being competitive in all conditions and in every type of race. I do have some favourite disciplines, such as technical races and sprints, but my objective is to be competitive and make a difference in all three, including long distance.

Ever since I started practicing this sport, my main reference has always been Noic Garioud. I consider him an outstanding athlete, capable of excelling in every distance and every type of race. My dream is to reach a similar level to his.

For this reason, my approach is to work on all disciplines – technical, long distance, and sprint – constantly trying to improve in each of them.

What’s the SUP scene like in your local area, and who are you training with regularly?

In Bari, there are around fifty SUP race athletes, both adults and younger paddlers. The local scene is constantly growing, with many promising young athletes improving all the time and raising the overall level.

I train every day, both on my own and with the group. My main training partner is Davide Alpino, who is also my coach. Davide has been, and still is, a key figure in my journey, as he has taught me – and continues to teach me – everything I know about SUP racing.

For me, my training team is essential: I consider it a true second family. There’s a very positive environment, built on mutual support, sharing, and a strong desire to improve together. Training with other athletes pushes you beyond your limits, because it creates a healthy competition that motivates you every day to give something more.

They’re people who can lift your spirits when you’re having a tough day and help you give your best even when you’re not feeling at your peak. It’s thanks to this team spirit that I’m able to keep growing, both as an athlete and as a person.

Do you have a personal motto or guiding principle that shapes how you live, train and compete?

Yes, my personal motto is “never give up.” It’s something that guides me in how I live, train, and compete every day.
I believe that in sport, especially at a high level, there are always difficult moments – hard training sessions, tough races, and days when things don’t go as planned. In those moments, the difference is made by your mindset. For me, “never give up” means pushing through fatigue, staying focused on my goals, and always giving my best, no matter the situation.

It also means being consistent and trusting the process, even when results don’t come immediately. I’m convinced that with determination and hard work, sooner or later, the results will follow.

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*Images courtesy of Nicolò Ricco