Niccolo Porcella scored a first in Kiteworld magazine history with back-to-back covers on issues #44 and #45...

It wasn't because he won some contest or is #1 in some rankings.  He got the two covers because on two separate occasions he showed that he is the best in the World in two different styles - freestyle and strapless wave.

Getting shot by some of the best photographers in the business wasn't a bad idea either.  Thanks to their amazing skills they were able to capture the insane action.  Big mahalos to Tracy Kraft and John Bilderback.

Niccolo is one of those rare athletes that excels in many disciplines.  Besides being one of the best kiteboarders in the world he is also a great surfer, acrobat and mixed martial arts fighter.

Kiteworld magazine editor-in-chief Jim Gaunt was also impressed with Niccolo's accomplishment so he interviewed Niccolo for the mag.  Here's the excerpt:

Niccolo, no one has ever had back-to-back covers before. And we're sure it will be a long time before anyone gets a freestyle and a wave cover in the same year, never mind back-to-back. Has it been a good winter's riding?

Thank you guys so much, it's been a dream come true! I still can't believe it. I'm so happy I have no words. Yes, it has been the best winter of my life. I think it's been the same for a lot of people here in Hawaii too, back-to-back high-surf warnings and advisory levels, means it's been pretty much insane!

Your cover photographers, John Bilderback and Tracy Kraft, must be good to work with. Can you remember the two sessions you got your covers and can you tell us about them?

I sure do, even more vividly now ;) It's been an honor to work with them and I feel so blessed and lucky. They are so professional, positive, motivated and full of passion, love and respect. Anyone who has worked with them will understand

You rip at both wave and freestyle, but which do you prefer and why?

I love both, depending of course on the conditions. If you tell me I have to choose one or the other, I would have to be honest and say waves...

Finally, we have a big interview with Lou Wainman in this issue. I know you spent a lot of time growing up with him as the first real grom at Kite Beach. Do you have any good memories of Lou back then and now? And what was it like virtually growing up on Kite Beach within that scene?

I've been very lucky and blessed to have grown up the way I did. Lou was a God for me and to get so close to him was a just like living a dream. He was a bit shy and it took a little while to get to know him, but then he took me under his wing and was like a step-dad / big brother. We've had very special moments together that I will never forget. He is such a genuine, nice guy and a funny joker with big dreams and big visions. I can still remember as if it was yesterday that he said "One day we will have our company that we will be so stoked on." Well, now he has with Wainman Hawaii, but he also has his wife and the cutest little baby girl, Lilly. All I can say is dreams can come true.
Growing up at Kite Beach with all the boys was definitely entertainment every day. They all kept an eye on me and took care of me... for the most part!
Thank you guys so much.

Photos by: Cover #44 - Tracy Kraft, Cover #45 - John Bilderback, Batel Shimi and Quincy Dein