Born in Rome Leonardo Fioravanti started surfing at the age of four after he was inspired by his brother, Marco, who was a surfer in the Italian National Team. Leonardo’s talent was evident immediately and within just three years he began to surf internationally in the Maldives, Australia, France, and Brazil while juggling his burgeoning surfing prowess with school commitments back home in Rome.

A stellar junior career followed as Leonardo spent more and more time in Hossegor, France. In 2013 he won several legs of the Pro Junior of European Professional Junior Circuit, which allowed him to enter the European QS in 2014 and storm to second place. He also attained a wildcard allowing him to compete in the Quiksilver Pro France as a 16-year-old, where he lost his heat against the World Champion Mick Fanning.

Leonardo’s ascent through the QS ranks to the CT was only stalled when he broke two vertebrae in the 2015 Volcom Pipeline Pro after a vicious wipeout. It was so severe that he risked being wheelchair-bound and was kept from surfing for seven months.

Eight months after his accident however he returned to competition and won the ISA Under-18 world title in Oceanside, California to become the first Italian to win the title. He also took part in QS in Portugal, Brazil, and Hawaii in the same year to seal a stunning comeback to the CT.

Fioravanti’s rookie year didn’t progress to plan however and he failed to requalify. He fought back in 2018 to make the top 10 on the QS, only to have his 2019 CT season further disrupted by injury. Eventually, he was forced into a surf-off with Mikey Wright at Pipe to keep his spot, which he won. Out of the surf the charismatic Italian, who speaks five languages fluently, had a long-term relationship with the Hawaiian model Sophie Wilson. He also supplemented his significant surf earnings with part-time modeling for Gucci, for whom he is a brand ambassador.

In 2021, following an injury to Jordy Smith, Fioravanti was selected to compete for Italy in the Tokyo Olympic Games. For one of Europe’s most talented surfers, it was another impressive addition to a CV that many people, including himself, believe one day might include a World Title.

Instagram: @leofioravanti