14, LAS PALMAS, GRAN CANARIA
SPONSORS: QUIKSILVER, PUKAS, WAWA SURF SHOP

“During the week I have school until 2pm, then I have lunch and surf until six,” reckons Luis, surely one of the most organized groms in the universe. “In winter it gets dark, so I study from 18:30 to 20:30. On weekends I can surf all day and do my homework in the evenings, I like to have things organized.” Bloody hell!

Luis is still young but has uncommon surfing skills among boys of his age. He’s been turning heads for a while now, because in addition to very good manners and impeccable style,he has a wise head on his shoulders and clear goals – to get as far as possible in the sport.

When Luis’s coach Chicho Cabrera first discovered him at his surf school on the beach at La Cicer, Luís was into his football and appeared to have a bright future in that sport. But by the ripe old age of 12 it was already becoming clear that given the choice, Luis would rather spend his days in salt water than running after a pig bladder, and so it has been on a board that Luis has focused all his energies in recent years. Chicho has tried to impress the road to becoming a successful sportsman is all about dedication, and at times sacrifice. It’s not always an easy task to keep a talented Island kid on the right track, many before Luis have fallen by the wayside, caught up in the trappings of an easy life in a land of the eternal summer. But with a lot of discipline, hard work and a bit of luck, everyone is hoping Luis could go on to emulate the likes of Jonathan Gonzalez. A high target indeed, but Jony, who sponsors Luis through his Wawa Surf Shop himself admits, “Man, Luis surfs so good, it’s rad… he’s incredible for his age.”

With good guidance, strong role models, and of course incredible surf in his backyard, the future looks very bright indeed for Luis Diaz.

Photos:Villalba/WE