Tommaso Pampinella joins SIC Maui: A decade of racing, set for the next challenge

One of Italy’s most versatile pro SUP & surf athletes, all-round waterman and Coach, Tommaso Pampinella, is now celebrating a decade of competitive racing. Signing with SIC Maui marks a full circle for the athlete, who has firmly stepped into the world of ocean endurance racing. With an impressive roster of ocean events under his belt –  including the Molokai to Oahu (2023 Winner of Solo SUP Unlimited Male 29 & Under category and the first Italian to ever compete in the race) and Okinawa to Yoron Ocean Downwind – joining SIC Maui makes perfect sense.

By partnering with a brand built around their ‘Bound by Water’ motto, Tommaso is aligning with a team where every ounce of design and every inch of innovation is guided by the belief that watersports can change lives. Their mission is to empower athletes and enthusiasts to embrace the limitless possibilities of the ocean.

We caught up with Tommaso, a decade deep in his career, to chat about his new chapter with SIC Maui, the state of the SUP industry and the exciting challenges ahead this season.

Photo by Martina Paganelli

Hi Tommaso, welcome back to TotalSUP! What does joining the SIC Maui team mean to you at this point in your career?

I feel very happy and honoured about that. This year I reach the goal of 10 years racing and I already remember any race, since the first one in 2016. Representing this brand after all these years for me it’s very important because it means that I am already here, facing against the new generation of strong and fast paddlers. My goal has always been to be competitive as long as possible and I am proud of myself to reach this goal. I feel I can still improve in SUP and I hope to reach good results with a SIC board under my feet.

Photo by Martina Paganelli

What stood out about SIC Maui as the right fit for you?

SIC Maui is a brand born from the ocean and fits perfectly with what I love more, paddling and adventuring in the ocean. The truth is that I already competed with a SIC Maui board and it was during the best experience of my life, the Molokai 2 Oahu in 2023, now I can confess it!

So for me it’s like a come back and sometimes this makes me think about coming back in the Kaiwi channel one day.

How involved do you expect to be beyond racing (testing gear, feedback, community, coaching / mentoring)?

I would like to be not just an athlete but sharing my knowledge in any field. During the past 10 years I used to give feedback to the brands about the gear and the shaping of the new race boards in particular.

My main role is coaching, and I’m also the coach of my sister, Cecilia Pampinella. I’d love to pass on my passion to the next generation of paddlers. I truly love this sport, and if I can contribute in any way to its growth, I’d be more than happy to.

Photo by Martina Paganelli

What are your main focus areas this race season?

That’s a great question! This year I decided to focus on what I enjoy the most — sprinting and downwinding. Sprint will be my main discipline, and most of my training will be built around that, but I also want to spend as much time as possible enjoying the ocean.

I’m also putting energy into SUP foil racing, which is a new challenge for me and an exciting new way to experience the ocean. My race schedule can shift depending on how I feel in the weeks leading up to each event — I like to stay flexible and listen to my body.

Are there specific events or formats you’re especially excited about this year?

I’m sure the European SUP League (ESL) will deliver a great championship and make an important contribution to the growth of our sport. The race format will be spectacular to watch, and I believe that’s key to helping more people discover and understand SUP racing.

At the same time, I’m really excited about the new and now well-established ICF 100m sprint format. I love this type of racing, and I think this year’s World Championships in Italy will be incredible.

Photo by Martina Paganelli

Looking back at last season, what was the biggest lesson or turning point for you?

Last season was challenging, but ultimately a good one for me. I learned a lot from the mistakes I made in 2024, even though I suffered a back injury three months before the ICF World Championships in Abu Dhabi. The rehabilitation process was long and tough, but I gave everything to be back on the starting line — and that experience has made me stronger today.

I had to start from zero, breaking down my 100m sprint stroke technique point by point, and now I feel good. This year, I’ll follow the same preparation for this race format and focus on becoming the fastest version of myself.

Was there a result or experience that changed how you think about competition?

For sure, Molokai 2 Oahu changed the way I see competition. The mental, physical, and technical preparation for that race was insane – but it was also a dream come true. It was the hardest race I’ve ever done.

After crossing the channel, I truly understood that the final result of a competition is just a number. In the end, what really counts are the emotions you feel while doing it and the journey you live before the race. Sometimes results don’t fully express who you are. The real challenge is against yourself – always striving to be the best version of you.

The way you face difficulties defines you. When I crossed the finish line, the last thing on my mind was the final result. I realized that everything I had done before led to that moment – and from that day on, everything made sense.

How would you describe the current energy in the SUP racing scene right now? What trends are you noticing – formats, gear etc.

It’s clear that the SUP race scene has changed several times over the last few years. Right now, I think we’re living through a difficult period for brands and for the market in general. When I started paddling, brands had more budget to invest in the sport and everything was moving forward in that direction.

Today, we have many talented young athletes coming up, but the situation is more challenging. Sponsorship opportunities are decreasing year after year, and it’s not as easy as it used to be.

That said, I still believe the SUP movement is strong. The community is big, passionate, and we can overcome this phase.

In terms of gear, it feels like we’re moving toward boards that can do everything — more all-round shapes. This is also linked to the economic situation, as brands can no longer produce as many different race board models as before. The market is pushing toward versatility.

If you had to sum up your mindset for this year in one word, what would it be?

Unpredictable.

Photo by Martina Paganelli

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*Images courtesy of Tommaso Pampinella