THE ASSOCIATION

Oltrevela is a non-profit amateur association, born to spread sailing both in its sports and cultural aspect. We think sailing is not just a sport, but a way of life: man’s love for the sea and his will to overcome his limits has led him to study the wind and the waves, while aiming to reach mysterious horizons. We have been organizing sailing courses for 8 years, with different types of boats. As a conclusion of the courses or as an early approach to the art of sailing for our members, we organize one-week cruises, which are meant to be both touristic and tutorial: putting into practice the fundamentals of sailing while visiting amazing coasts or islands with a crew that very often turns out to be a group of friends. Appreciating countries for all their aspects, from natural beauties to cultural richness is one of the social issues of our Association. For this reason, Oltrevela organizes events during which sailing activities, guided tours, music shows, typical food and drinks become the multiple fixtures of an alternative tourism.

OUR TEAM

PRESIDENT - Diego Rizzo

Licensed to sail without limits of distance from the coast, musician and composer, he has been cooperating with his father in sailing activities for many years. At the same time he has started, together with Il Cammino della Musica a special project called One Song 4 People which aims to form an international crew of musicians who would blend their cultures through music.

SAILING ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR - Pino Rizzo

Professional skipper, Licensed to to sail without limits of distance from the coast, he has been working in this field for 30 years. In 1990 he founded Il mondo del mare one of the first Puglia tour operators dealing with charter and sailing. In 2005 he founded Oltrevela.

ORGANIZING SECRETARIAT - Francesca De Leva

After a degree in Linguistics studies and a research about Salento dialect, dealing with the connection between language, society and territory, she has worked for many years as a designer, organizer and manager of cultural events in Bologna.

PROJECTS AND COMMUNICATION - Ginestra Odevaine

After having studied Arts and Science of the show business, she is now working as project writer and organizer for socio-cultural associations dealing with the welcome and care of refugees and immigrants. She also cooperates with bike-tour associations and organizes workshops about creative recycling.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - Mattia Manco

Born in Zollino, in the heart of Grecìa salentina, has a deep knowledge of Greek and griko Culture. He has also been playing an active role in the recent Salento music re-birth. Licensed touristic guide he is the creator and the director of all the Association’s activities developed in the Grecìa area.

CULTURAL PROJECT AND GUIDED TOURS - Lucas Buffelli, Ilaria Gonoli

He has studied Archeology, getting a special degree in recovery, preservation and regard of archeological industrial goods. He has been working in Salento, Puglia and abroad as licensed touristic guide.

Graduate in History of Art, she has been working for many years as licensed touristic guide, in Salento, Puglia and abroad. She also cooperates with other cultural association for the organization of events.

WEBMASTER AND TERRITORIAL STUDIES - Emiliano Rizzo

After having studied Archeology and having worked all around Puglia, also as excavation director for the evaluation of the archeological goods in Lecce’s province, he has deepened his informatics knowledge, starting to build websites. These skills allow him to know, classify and get the cultural richness of our land usable.