You'd think someone working in an Italian place might have a vague idea of pronounciations.
People underestimate the educational value of football. Much of my early geographical knowledge and finding out how to pronounce stuff in French/Italian/Spanish came from football.
No. Lots of bodyboarders run with a style called drop knee, which is where they have one knee on the board while basically standing up. Those that do freestyle are interested in air, which you can't do while surfing.