A Story to tell

A project by Bianca&Noè for Scimparello Magazine

In the heart of every wave, there lies a story waiting to be told.
Marta, a mother with an open soul and an expansive heart, followed that delicate thread that binds her to the water, moving to Biarritz with her husband and her child.
Here, in this enchanting place, their son Leonardo was born four years ago, and their lives were forever transformed.
For Marta, surfing and photography are not just pursuits—they are the very essence that fills her days with purpose.

At dawn, as the golden rays of the sun shimmer on the water and the gentle roar of the waves sings its timeless song, she finds her sanctuary.
Each click of her camera captures a fleeting moment, a piece of beauty reflected in the vastness of the ocean.
In this corner of paradise, life and dreams intertwine, creating an endless narrative of love and wonder.

How and where did your passion for surfing begin?

My love for surfing began in 2010 during a trip to Morocco. Growing up in Turin, near the mountains, I was never much of a “water person.” I spent my childhood skiing and later many years snowboarding—water was never really my element! However, during a month-long stay in a remote village in southern Morocco, something changed. I “found” myself, tried surfing, and after weeks of riding in the whitewash, I finally caught a “real” wave. When I returned to Italy and discovered that you could surf in the Mediterranean, I never stopped!

Why did you decide to move to Biarritz 11 years ago?

Thirteen years ago, while surfing, I met Andrea, who is still my partner today. After several trips to the Basque Country, in 2013 we decided to move to Biarritz for what was meant to be just a few months. We wanted to fully embrace our passion for surfing, and we succeeded, living right in front of Côte des Basques beach, with the sound of the waves outside our window. Now, 11 years later, with a 4-year-old son born here and another child on the way, we’re preparing to move back to Italy to reconnect with our roots.

How is your life in this place that is one of the homelands of surfing?

Life in Biarritz is calm and relaxed. We’re constantly surrounded by nature, with the beach right in front of our home. Our son often goes to sleep with sand in his bed, brought in from outside, and he knows the rhythm of the tides! Unfortunately, the city has become very expensive. Luxury tourism has grown significantly, and since the Covid pandemic, the number of remote workers has skyrocketed. This has driven up the cost of living and led to overcrowded surf spots, making it increasingly difficult and often dangerous to surf.
It’s a shame because Biarritz is a beautiful city, but it’s becoming harder and harder to live here. This is the reality for many tourist destinations that have become more and more attractive over the years. It’s one of the reasons we’ve decided to return to Italy.

Have you already introduced your little Leo to this wonderful discipline of surfing?

Of course! When he was around 4 or 5 months old, I put him on a surfboard in the ocean for the first time (no waves, of course 😜). He loved licking the salt off the board! As time went on, my partner and I started bringing him along to catch his first foam waves with us.
When he turned 3, something changed. He probably started developing a sense of fear that he didn’t have when he was younger, and for one summer (last year), he didn’t want to surf anymore. We didn’t push him, but we bought him a bodyboard, which helped him get comfortable with the ocean again and play in the waves.
This year, he’s the one asking to come surf with mom and dad! Now he rides the foam with me and goes out to the lineup with his dad (when the waves are small). Sometimes, all it takes is patience—don’t force kids to surf if they don’t want to, and make sure it remains a fun and enjoyable game (the same goes for adults!).

Let’s conclude by asking you to make a wish and dedicate a message to the young surfers who follow us!

I’d love to see better regulation of surf spots to prevent overcrowding and ensure that surfing doesn’t become too dangerous. I also hope that everyone who takes up the sport educates themselves and respects the unwritten rules and etiquette of good behavior in the water.

And to all the young surfers (both kids and grown-ups 😜), I say: just have fun! Don’t focus only on performance—enjoy the little things, the feeling of gliding on the water, the wipeouts, the laughter with friends, and the beautiful scenery around us.

Photography: @kris.tinaklinger @surfragette @surfragette_studio

all clothes of Leo by @bianca_and_noe