20 Questions With Gianni Grifoni

His Instagram ID is "Sleep. Eat. Surf."  Let's kick off the year getting to know one of the most popular and interesting personalities from Siargao!

 

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm half Italian-half Swiss. I've been living in Siargao Island since 2010. First time I visited was back in 2005. I m a Biologist and Statistician by profession but grew up in restaurants. I love surfing, I founded Kermit Siargao and Gwapitos. And now I have Airbnb Villas. I started my life in Siargao as just a surfer and then I built Kermit. Rest is history.

Kermit Siargao IG Page

Gwapitos Official IG Page

2. How did you get into surfing?
I got into surfing when I was 14, I used to spend my summers in California where my brother lived. From 2005, I started to travel more and mainly Bali was my go-to surf. I lived there for a little while before moving to the Philippines.

3. What's the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you in the water?

I think a near death experience. The waves held me down in Rock Island back in the day. I guess I stayed underwater only 15 sec but I felt like it was forever. Another time I entered Cloud 9 on a glassy condition in March. The wind started then after 30 minutes there were blue bottle jellyfish everywhere! I couldn’t get out but it was also bad to stay there. I got stung sooo many time hahaha

4. What other sports or hobbies are you into?
Golfing, Snowboarding, Cooking and skateboarding

5. How long have you been living in Siargao?
14 years

6. What's it like living there?
Changed a lot from back in the days to now. Before it was a real community, everybody knew each other even the tourists. There was one party a week, that's it. The rest was surf and lifestyle. Now it's become a business, a lot of new establishments, and you're more on your own. I miss the old days.

7. Tell us all about GWAPITOS.
Gwapitos started as a “joke” to put the name on a shirt, as they called me Gwapito in the Philipines surf industry. It was like the first brand out of Siargao and became pretty famous. It's a happy go lucky project turned successful!

8. What’s something random that people might not know about you?
Good question hahaha

9. Best piece of advice you’ve been given?
In Siargao, go slowly, immerse in the local culture, go to local eateries not just the “instagrammable” ones hahaha Be more careful while you drive a motorbike than surf. It is way more dangerous.

10. What’s your motto?
Go big or go home.

11. What's your guilty pleasure?
Wine and cocktails, I believe. I don’t eat sweets or sugar hahaha

12. What inspires you?
Nature, freesurfers (I don’t like competitive sports in general), my daughter.

13. How do you define success?
I started as happy go lucky then more on to the business side. I was in the right place at the right time. I work hard for what I created, but bit of luck is always useful.

14. Beach or Mountains?
Beach, but I miss snowboarding now. I m going to Japan in Feb.

15. Favorite food?
Pastaaaaa. Alle vongole. (clams)

16. Salty or Sweet?
For sure salty

17. Most played song on Spotify?
Jesus of Suburbia by Green Day

18. What are your must-have travel essentials?
Credit card, cash and travel insurance. Maybe also Imodium! hahaha

19. Let’s hear your wildest dream.
Big wave surfing hahaha

20. If you could pick 3 Sun Bum products that you can’t live without, what would they be?
I LOVE the shampoo!!! But definitely the waterproof sunblock and zinc oxide too.

 

 

 

 

 

XOXO,

Team Parasol Y Mar