Sesia Explorer’s Staff - Riversport professionals
Our staff are dedicated sportsmen/sportswomen who all have experience in national or international competitiions in both Riversport and Mountain activities. Our Staff will be your very best comrades for your excursion, being able to transmit to you useful information both from a sports technique and natural science point of view
Maurizio nickname "Gallo"
Born in Valsesia where he grew up, learning about the Mountains and the River. He did his National Service in the Parachutist’s corp, carrying out missions abroad.
In 1985, he obtained his civil Parachutist licence;
In 1992 he co-founded the Valsesia Canoe Club;
In 1993, he obtained his FreeFlight (Paragliding Italian Freeflight Federation ) licence and in 1995 his Rafting Licence Instructor (Italian Rafting Federation). Between 1999 and 2001 he participated in the Italian National Rafting Championships specializing in the Slalom category.
In 2010 he obtained his Certificate as Technical Coordinator for Rafting and Riversport activiites and is part of the National Canyoning Association.
Maurizio is our Technical Director specializing in Rafting and Canyoning, although he does enjoy accompanying groups in Hydrospeed and Kayak.
He regularly spends his free time doing Paragliding, Ski-touring, Snowboard, Rock Climbing, Mountain biking and Trekking (when he’s not Rafting, Canyoning or Kayaking)
Maurizio speaks discreet English and some French.
Marco
Born in Turin, and at 13yrs old he discovers his passion for the nature and most of all in River sports, especially that of Kayaking, participating in numerous competitions of both Slalom and Downriver Kayaking, which allowed him to do his National Service in the Italian Marines.
Between 1988 and 1994 he participated in the Italian K1 Slalom Championships, and then between 1997 and 2009 he took part in numerous Rodeo Kayaking contests in Italy and in Europe.
In 1998 he obtained his Rafting licence as an Instructor (Italian Rafting Federation) which allowed him to work on the Rivers in the Aosta Valley and in France, and in December 2008, he took part in an Italian Kayaking expedition to explore some of the tough Argentinian and Chilean Rivers.
In his free time, he too regularly goes Snowboarding, trekking and Mountain biking (when not Rafting or Kayaking)…
Marco is our Rafting and Kayak Instructor and he too enjoys taking groups in Hydrospeed and Canyoning.
Marco speaks good Spanish and English
Gabriela
Was born in Costa Rica where she lived until she was 28, her great passion for the River allowed her to work as a Nature Guide, and then in 1990 she obtained her Rafting licence which took her all over the world up until her selection in 2000 for the Costa Rican National Rafting team for the World Championships in Chile, and after this experience Gabriela arrived in Valsesia in 2000 for the Italian Rafting season.
Since then, Gabriela has put down her roots and in 2001, she obtained her Hydrospeed Instructor licence but continued her participation in the Italian Rafting Championships between 2000 and 2003, winning the title with her team for 4 consecutive years.
After the birth of her 2 children, in 2009 Gabriela participated again in the Italian Rafting Championships and is selected to represent italy in the European Championships in 2010, In the spare time that Gabriela has, she enjoys Scuba Diving and Snowboard (when not spending time with her little children).
Due to her experience Gabriela is an excellent Rafting, Hydrospeed and Canyoning guide.
Gabriela speaks obviously excellent Spanish and English, her knowledge of French and Portuguese is discreet.
Uberto
Was born in Belgium and grew up loving sports, which enabled him to get his Diploma in PE, specializing then in 1993 with sport for handicapped being followed by his Degree in Motory science in 1996 at Dijon University France.His love of the sea brought him in 1987 to take his licence as Bathing attendant, followed by Windsurf instructor in 1988, in 1989 he took his Italian Federation Scuba diving 2° level licence.
In his spare time, he now enjoys snowboarding and trekking when not spending time with Gabriela and their 2 small children.
Due to his experience too, Uberto is a great Rafting, Canyoning and Hydrospeed guide.
Sophie
Was born in the Scottish highlands where she was brought up until her arrival in England and then to Padua in Italy in 1987. Her love of extreme sports took her to Valsesia in 1999 to fully explore Riversports in particular Rafting and Kayaking. The beauty of the Valsesia allowed her also to develop her knowledge in photography acquired when working in Padua.Between 2000 and 2003 together with Gabriela, she participated in the Italian Rafting Championships winning for all 4 consecutive years the title of Female Champions.
In her free time she now enjoys Snowboarding, Skiing and Trekking on Mount Rosa, when possible she enjoys Paragliding and Mountain biking in and around Valsesia when not Rafting or Kayaking.
Sophie and our mascot GIGA are now part of the National Rescue Team in Civil protection, Sophie is the Operations manager for Sesia Explorer and is also the official Photographer.
Sophie speaks excellent English, discreet French and German.
Guido nickname "Tacchino"
Guido has now been Freeflying for 32 years. In 1978 he obtained his licence as a hang-glider pilot and then in 1986 he tried paragliding, which then since 1989 has been his great passionHe has now been a FreeFlight Instructor (AECI) since 1995 teaching in many flight schools in and around Italy, and for several years now has been Instructor at the Icaro 2000 flight school in Laveno Mombello (Va).
Guido is his incredible experience is our Freeflight instructor for our Paragliding activities.
Giga
Giga works in the Italian Civil protection in search and rescue in urban and lowland areas and is trained in air scenting and ground scenting.
