Blackfish welcomes one of SUP’s most versatile watermen, Tommaso Pampinella

The best opportunities often come from shared moments on and off the water. Through our continued investment in the SUP community and the events that bring it together, we have the chance to build genuine relationships that can lead to exciting new collaborations. During our time in the UK, we were delighted to meet Tommaso Pampinella, exchange ideas and start conversations that naturally developed into this new chapter with Blackfish. 

Tommaso Pampinella is a versatile all-round waterman and one of the most complete athletes in the modern SUP and foiling scene. Known for his technical ability, adaptability, and constant commitment to progression, Tommaso has built an impressive career across multiple disciplines. 

From becoming an Italian National Champion to winning the prestigious Molokai 2 Oahu race - one of the most iconic challenges in the SUP world - he has consistently demonstrated the skill, determination, and passion that define elite athletes.

Peter Allen, General Manager of Blackfish Paddles, endurance paddler and racer, said:

“We are excited to welcome Tommaso to the Blackfish family. His adaptability, commitment to progression and exploring every side of the water are exactly the values we believe in as a brand. We look forward to working together, sharing knowledge and continuing to grow the SUP and foiling scene with his experience, input and vision.”  

In conversation with Tommaso: 

Welcome Tommaso! What made this the right time to join the Blackfish Paddles team?

During the race in Torbay, I had the opportunity to test the new blades from Blackfish, and I really liked them from the very first stroke. I met Peter, who explained the philosophy behind the brand and the research and development that goes into every Blackfish paddle. This helped me understand the high quality and attention to detail that define the brand.

From your first look at the Blackfish lineup, which paddles sparked your interest the most?

It depends on the discipline, but for SUP racing I mostly liked the Crozon and the Yukon as well. I am sure these blades can make a difference. For sprint races, I will use the Crozon because of its efficient catch, while for long-distance races, the Yukon is the right choice. 

For SUP surfing and SUP foiling, I will use the Crozon in Kevlar 500 and 580.

What does "performance" mean to you today and how does Blackfish fit into that vision?

During the last four years, the level in the world of SUP has increased significantly, and if you want to stay at the top, you need to be equipped with the best gear. I believe that a good paddle can make a big difference in every SUP discipline.

Blackfish is for sure one of the best paddle brands on the market because of the detailed care and attention that goes into every paddle. This is very important for me, as I want to be sure that behind the product there is a specialised team constantly working to achieve the best possible performance from every paddle.

You've been spending more time foiling recently. How has that changed the way you think about paddle design and efficiency?

SUP foiling is for sure the discipline of the moment, and the gear is changing day by day. Every day I learn something new, and I recently experienced that having a paddle specifically designed for this discipline can make a big difference.

Having a paddle with a very efficient catch is extremely important if you want to take off and fly with small and radical foils, because you need a lot of power during the take-off. The construction of the blade also needs to be stronger, because it is very easy to hit the paddle with the foil and damage it.

Looking ahead, where will we first see you putting the Blackfish paddles through their paces in competition, both on the SUP race circuit and in foiling? 

I am mostly preparing for the ICF World SUP Championships in Italy but before that I would like to test my physical and technical form at the Agios Nikolaos SUP Races in September. 

For SUP foiling, my goal is to be ready for the downwind races in France in October, while for SUP surfing I am really looking forward to competing in Gran Canaria in December. 

Follow Tommaso Pampinella on Instagram 

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