Roberto, what were the first stirrings of RRD as a business? Where did it all begin?
Well, I started shaping windsurf boards in 1986 for a company called Drops in Italy. And from then, I was able to develop my skills as a shaper and also as a windsurf rider. I became a professional rider around 1988 when I decided to start my own company and brand, RRD, which was founded between the island of Maui and Grosseto in Tuscany. That’s where I live and where the company is based today. So, that’s where things began.
So at what point did RRD turn its attention to foiling, and what was the very first foil product you developed?
I started foiling thanks to one of our team riders, Thomas Yannick from Poland. He was our kitesurfing and skateboarding rider. He was one of the first guys to ride. This was about ten years ago, and I was scared because I tried a couple of times and almost killed myself. He gave me one of his
