During the pandemic, while everyone was searching for ways to pass the time in quarantine, my father and I decided to bring one of our greatest passions to life: creating 100% Italian-made handboards. After years of practicing this sport, which I first started using a swim training board (similar to a handboard) given to me during swimming lessons, we gradually perfected both our skills and the equipment we used.

It was the need for more high-performance and accessible boards that sparked the idea to make our own. Since this sport is still relatively unknown in Italy, finding the right gear has always been a challenge. Like many ideas born from passion, after an initial phase where everything seemed to be going smoothly, we began encountering the typical technical and production-related issues that come with crafting any object. Researching various alternatives and solutions to overcome these obstacles took far more time than expected, but it never diminished the passion that kept us moving forward. It was almost surprising to realize just how many challenges could hide within something so “small” and “simple.” To solve many of the problems, we initially had to rely on more experienced friends for guidance.

The biggest difficulty we faced was finding a satisfying solution for the leash and camera/fin mounts. A major turning point came with the arrival of a 3D printer, along with my background as a mechanical engineer, which allowed us to design and create these components according to our specific needs. This gave us greater design freedom, particularly when it came to the fin.

Now, thanks to the experience we’ve gained, we’ve become much more independent and continue to craft our handboards with an even more hands-on approach, always driven by our passion. They are our escape during our free time and represent the fruit of our ideas and projects. The 3D printer continues to play a key role, not only in making the board components but also in producing the tools necessary for their creation. We also use a laser engraver to create decorative elements, which can be present on our boards.

Perhaps the most rewarding part of the entire process is when we finally hit the water to test the boards, as it translates all our hard work into a tangible result. Whether they perform as expected or reveal areas for improvement, testing gives us insights and inspiration for our next projects. We’re always eager to share our passion with others and look forward to meeting you on the waves!