Raffles chats with Pro Skater & GoPro Ambassador, Alex Sorgente

Alessandro Sorgente is a pro skater, GoPro ambassador and seasoned traveller. Alex, as he’s better known, is a force in international transition skating and ranks in the world top 10.

The Florida-based, Italian-American 18-year old also packs an amazing attitude. Here, he chats with Raffles about travelling for sport, competitive skating, school and the importance of giving back.

GoPro Ambassador Alex Sorgente at the Australian Open 2016

I’ve been watching you skate at the Australian Open and you’re like a total a legend. I’m turning 8 tomorrow and I want to learn to skate like you. How old where you when you started skating?
I was 6 years old when I started skating, it didn’t come easy at first but I loved it and kept on doing it.
Oh man, I don’t even have a board yet.
Come back tomorrow and I’ll give you my deck to get started.
No way!!! That would totally awesome.

You’ve won lots of skateboarding events and even been in the Guinness Book of World Records. That’s so epic.  Do you have to train a lot?
Thanks, I usually just skate and surf a lot so it keeps me in shape. I also like to stretch as much as I can to stay flexible.
That’s good to know.

Do you have a favourite event?
My favorite event would have to be the US Open in Huntington Beach, it’s actually pretty similar to the Aus Open here with the surf and skate event together.
Sounds cool. I love watching all the skaters and surfers at the Australian Open.

Is there a trick that you are most of proud?
Yeah I was really hyped when I landed the Ollie 540. It was one I really wanted to learn.

You travel loads! How many countries have you travelled to for skating?
I’ve been to over 20 countries. Travelling for skating is the best job in the world!
Sounds like my kind of job.

How do you go to school when you travel so much?
I do home-schooling. But I like going to school. Do you like school?
Yeah, I especially like English.
Science is my favourite subject.
Science is pretty cool too.

What do you like most about travelling?
Meeting new people, trying new food and seeing new places are just some of the things I like about traveling.
Me too.. especially eating!

It must be an awesome way to see the world because you’d meet so many cool people at events who can show you around. Which country is the most fun?
I definitely love coming to Australia every year. I have so much fun here and I always love going to Europe too.

When I travel I like to eat. A lot. What’s been the best food you’ve ever had on your travels?
The food in Italy is the best. Can’t beat it. Haha.
Your family comes from Bologna, right? You must get to eat some awesome Italian food.

I love my GoPro so much but I’m still learning. Your a GoPro ambassador and your shots are epic. What’s your best tip for great GoPro footage?
Just try to have an open mind and think of some cool angles you think would look the best and try to film the highest quality you can.
OK. My favourite shots are the ones where everything looks a little weird. I’ll keep trying different stuff.

My mum says that it is important to give back and that you do that with Grind for Life. Can you tell me about it?
Yeah. Grind for Life is a non-profit organisation that helps people travel to get the proper cancer treatment. Mike Rogers, the founder of Grind for Life, taught me how to skate so I’ve always been really close to him, we also travel a lot together and I’ve always supported Grind for Life.
That’s really nice. You are really nice. Thanks for chatting with me.

Raffles is a tad stoked about his new board from Alex Sorgente

An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she's still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow.