Kitesoul Magazine #19 English Edition

190
Projects
Kitesurfing is beneficial: here comes the Wind Therapy
the sea were "washing away" my inner discomfort and the kite
helped me find lightness and serenity.
How did you have the idea of the Association Flyin Hearts and
who are the people that work with you on this project?
When I returned home, I wanted to share my experience with
others who were going through troubled times. I looked for
information about the relation between kitesurfing and the
treatment of cases of depression and I didn't find anything. I
found some texts written by a psychologist about alternative
therapies for the treatment of psycho-behavioural problems
amongst adolescents and I contacted him. I began a phase of
study and reflection with Dr. Amedeo Bezzetto, Director of rehabilitation
therapies at Villa Santa Giuliana Hospital. And I
decided to go all the way by founding Flyin Hearts, a non-profit
organization, to collect the necessary funds to organize the
Wind Therapy Camps. With me, other two key people, Gabriele
Ghione, kitesurfing instructor and Evelyn, my mom, alternative
disciplines and remedies expert.
You think that kitesurfing can have therapeutic benefits, why?
Being kitesurfing a strongly emotional activity, it had every
prerequisite to unleash useful reactions in the kids to cope
with their discomfort. Gabriele had long wanted to open his
own Kite Centre, so the two projects started together in Porto
Pollo. Therefore FH Academy was looking for technically skilled
instructors but also empathic to our mission. Gabriele and I
studied a more holistic approach to kitesurfing than the traditional
teaching methods because the objective was to work on
the emotions that this sport provokes, rather than aiming at
technical aspects, with very high safety standards.
When did the Association organize the first kite camps and
what was it like?
The first camps took place in Porto Pollo in 2015. Camps last 5
days, kids are selected by Dr. Bezzetto and arrive in groups of
4 or 5 with two Hospital employees. They stay at Isola dei Gabbiani
Camping, within walking distance from the kite zone and