Daniele Ramazzotti, Let's go surfing, but first let's have some pasta.

Daniele, how are you, man? Thanks for doing this interview. Where are you right now?

Hey, thank you! I’m home in Rome at the moment, preparing for a trip to shoot some photos for friends at Kelly’s Pool in California.

No way! That’s incredible. It’s your first time there, right? Are you going to be able to surf at all?

Yeah, first time! I’m bringing a ton of gear with me! I think I’ll score about three waves while I’m there, but my main focus is taking photos.

So, you’re the second person I’ve interviewed for this new series called Commune Des Vagues—it’s all about sharing stories and experiences gained along our surfing journey.

Awesome! Thank you for inviting me.

Tell me about your earliest memories of surfing.

They go back to when I was about 12 years old. My mom took my skateboard away, so I started spending more time at the beach. Friends of mine had boogie boards, and we would dream about actually surfing, imagining what it would be like to ride a surfboard. We had our own little crew back then, right here on the beaches around Rome.

So, there were already some surfers in Rome at that time?

Oh yeah, but it wasn’t until I explored beyond the local beaches that I discovered larger surf crews. When I went to Biarritz for the first time at 15, it opened my eyes to a whole new world. I took the train from Italy—no phone, no email. It was the best experience! Being part of a crew back then was essential; it kept the spirit alive.

Do you remember your first wave?

Um, not really! I have this vivid memory of being out on a rough day, with my mom shouting from the beach, ‘Come back!’ So, while I can’t recall a first wave, I can picture myself out there, really surfing, far from the shore.

It's interesting how these memories shape us—either beautiful or terrifying!

Yeah, I think I came close to drowning at least 3 or 4 times! But that’s part of the deal—if it becomes traumatic, surfing isn’t for you. It’s just you and the ocean, and you have to learn to deal with that.

During your teenage years, you spent time in California and met a whole new group of friends. What was that experience like for you as an Italian kid?

Oh man, it was out of control! A bunch of us went, and I was the kid from Rome. The oldest in our group was 21 and ‘in charge’! We stayed for two months, but my friend and I decided to sleep in a van instead of using the hotel money. I still remember the sounds at night—cars passing, doors opening and closing, lights from 7/11. It felt so alive! At the end, we splurged on thrift shopping on Melrose!

Did you guys surf while you were there?

Oh yeah, we hit the beach every day! I desperately wanted to surf Blacks Beach, but no one else wanted to come, so I thought, ‘Forget you guys!’ I took the train there alone. It was super small that day, but still amazing!

What do you recall about the surf scene back then?

After high school, I moved to Encinitas and met Donovan, who introduced me to everyone. It was magic everywhere! Friends were talking about surf trips, music, and creating art—not just for money, but to live life as they wanted. It was pure! I spent most of my time in San Diego, but I explored LA too. Coming from Italy to that reality was a gift I can never thank my parents enough for.

Did you have any favorite spots? What boards were you riding?

Oh sure! Early on, I was just exploring the spots and learning to respect the locals. California is full of incredible surf locations—from Swamis to Malibu. I’ll never forget getting barreled at Ponto! If I had to choose one wave, it would definitely be Swamis.

What boards were you riding back then?

I was riding everything, mostly borrowing boards from friends. I can’t even recall how many different boards I surfed!

Did any board stand out?

Not really, because I’ve been spending time with Joel Tudor for over 20 years. Every time I go back, it’s a new experience! Longboards, mid-lengths, fishes—depends on the wave.

What’s your go-to board these days?

I've got this Keeper from Thomas Bexon that I love. I also have a 9'6” Dirty Martini from Tanner, which is a fantastic all-arounder, and a 8'0” single fin from Tudor that’s simply magical in the right conditions.

After California, where did life take you?

I came back to Italy around 2001, but I was still returning to California regularly. Whenever I come back, it feels like I never left.

When did you discover your interest in photography?

It was young—I grew up with cameras around. My dad loved photography, and my uncle was a DP in California. I dreamed of following that path. My dad had these huge lenses and showed me the detail you could capture far away. I became fascinated with the process!

Did you take photos during those early days in California?

Definitely! Friends who were great photographers inspired me, especially Aaron Reagan back then.

I know you primarily as a surf photographer, but did you shoot other subjects too?

Yes! Photography is special for me. Freezing moments in time creates lasting memories. It's deeply personal; you shoot for yourself first, and if you want to share later, that's up to you. Photos never die; they have no expiration date. You can hold on to them forever, unseen but still existing.

I know you’re disciplined about shooting with film.

Absolutely! I love the process. During my time in the film industry, I used almost every camera you can imagine. I had early access to digital photography, but there’s something about shooting film that feels more real. It’s all about the experience—setting my Leica just right and seeing what unfolds. Even if a shot is blurry, that’s part of the art of photography. It’s controversial to say, but if you don’t appreciate film's process, it's hard to call yourself a photographer. Digital has its place, especially in high-demand scenarios, but the two approaches are different.

You spent some time working in the film industry too, right? What was that like?

It was incredible—a dream come true! I relied on my energy and determination to make it happen. There were opportunities in Italy for English speakers in the film industry.

So, Italy had more opportunities for you?

Yes! There was a film commission thriving at the time, attracting American productions. It was an exciting time to work in film, learning, growing, and making new friends.

I remember you worked on "Life Aquatic." How was that experience?

Amazing! It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever. Watching Wes Anderson at work was beautiful; he had a magic way of making people dream. There were rumors about wanting to portray Jacques Cousteau, but the family didn’t allow it since it wasn’t an accurate reflection of his life. It's a shame because it could have inspired a new audience about the importance of preserving our planet.

You released a film called "Visions" in 2019. What was that project about?

It was an experiment in shooting without editing, using Super 8 film. I shot five rolls and linked them all with a continuous soundtrack, showcasing raw, unedited footage.

What inspired you?

At the time, I was following the Duct Tape events and wanted to capture the diverse locations—California, the Caribbean, Biarritz, a little bit of Hawaii.

I remember watching it at the Marienia in Guethary—the vibe that night was amazing!

Yeah, that was special! I remember Knost said it was the best surf film he’d seen in ten years—it's fast-paced and feels electric!

And what about the Tagging and Gliding art show with Shawn Stussy in Guethary?

That was fantastic! We hung out daily, and the show came together naturally. I’m really proud of how it all turned out.

Ok so that brings us back to France, what do you enjoy about it?

The vibe! I’ve been coming here since I was 15, almost 30 years now. I’ve explored the entire coast and camped nearly every beach. It’s changed a lot, but I love the culture and connections I’ve built with friends from all over the world.

My boys miss having Uncle D come cook pasta for them!

Haha! I’ll be back soon, brother!

Thank you, Daniele, for sharing your journey and insights. Your experiences remind us of the beautiful connections we make through our passions and how our love for the ocean continues to shape our stories. Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes of Commune Des Vagues!