Blackfish Paddles is proud to announce Francesca Grimaldi as the newest member of the Blackfish Team.

Supporting young athletes and helping progress the sport has always been a core part of the Blackfish philosophy, and Francesca Grimaldi represents exactly the kind of talent, passion, and dedication that inspires the future of SUP.

At just 14 years old, the Naples-based athlete representing the Circolo Nautico Posillipo Club, is already establishing herself as one of the brightest young athletes on the international SUP scene.

Fresh off an outstanding performance at Stop 2 of the European SUP League (ESL) in Lido Gandoli, Italy - where she claimed gold in the U16 Long Distance race - Francesca has also secured multiple podiums across Italian national championships, continuing a standout run of results on the national stage, including: 

> 1st Place Technical Race – FICK (Federazione Italiana Canoa Kayak) 

> 1st Place Sprint – FISSW (Federazione Italiana Surfing Sci Nautico e Wakeboard)

With a rapidly growing list of accomplishments, Francesca is emerging as one of the most exciting young talents in Italian SUP - and we’re delighted to support her journey.

We caught up with Francesca Grimaldi to talk about her progression in the sport, her experience with Blackfish Paddles, and her goals for the season ahead.

How did you first get into competitive SUP, and what drew you from paddling into racing?

I started stand-up paddleboarding three years ago at a summer camp in my city. Later, I joined my club, Circolo Nautico Posillipo, where I began training competitively. My first race was the Spring SUP Race, where I finished 3rd in both the Sprint and Long Distance events.

You’ve been using Blackfish Paddles for a while now – and we’re stoked about it! How would you describe your experience with Blackfish Paddles, especially in terms of feel and performance on the water?

I really like my paddle because it’s the lightest I’ve ever tried. It’s fast and feels perfect for me, although I’m also very curious to try the ‘Noumea’ model.

What does joining the Blackfish team mean to you, and what are your plans for the season ahead?

Joining Blackfish feels like a huge achievement for me. This is my first sponsorship, and it’s a real honour. If someone had told me a year ago that I would join this team, I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s truly a dream come true. I want to thank my parents, my brother - who also does SUP and started together with me - my coaches, and the entire Blackfish Team for welcoming me into the family.

My plans for this season are to become the top-ranked Italian athlete in the U14 category and perform well at upcoming international events. Next season, as I move into U16, my goal is to rank as highly as possible in both the Italian and international rankings.

Follow Francesca on Instagram

Sign up for the Blackfish Paddles newsletter to get exclusive updates and insider news