Leo Nika / Italy
Leo began surfing at age 10 when his family moved to Rome near the coast of Italy. Competed in surfing competitions around Italy, and in the summer of 2008, was introduced to Stand Up Paddling (SUP) during a surfing event in Santa Marinella, Italy. He won his first Italian National Championship in 2009, competing also on the European sup tour in Wave and Race disciplines. He is an 8-time consecutive Italian Champion from 2012 to 2019, a European champion Race winner in 2012 and 2013, and was nominated as one of the top 5 sup riders in the world. In 2013 he finished 1st place in the Euro-SUPA Sup Race Championship Tour. He finished 2nd at the Race World Cup in Hamburg in 2013, winning the Sup Paris Crossing in 2013, 3rd Place at the SUP World Series in Barcelona in 2015, 2nd place in the USA at the Gorge Paddle Challenge, competing with the top 100 riders. 'When I’m not busy travelling the world, I like to teach stand paddle surfing at my SUP surf academy in Peniche, Portugal, named Nika Paddle-Surf Academy. When I moved to Portugal to improve my training during the off-season in perfect conditions with the power of the ocean, I realised that I came here for one reason, and I stayed for many others; Portugal has a lot to offer for stand up paddling not only amazing waves but also many flat water spots to discover and mostly open ocean conditions while enjoying the amazing culture.
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