TIME

SURFERS

PHOTOGRAPHY

7 min

Laura Coviella

@lauracoviella

Hey! Tell us About yourselves

Hey everyone! I’m Laura. I love chasing powerful swells at home and abroad, pushing myself in big waves, and finding balance between competitive surfing and staying connected to my roots. Surfing is my passion, but it’s also my way of life. Recently I launched my new film LATITUD SUR (watch below), which tells the story of chasing giants in Chile.

How did you start surfing?

I used to spend the summertime in the south of Tenerife, where there are a lot of surf shops. One day, when I was around 11 years old, I did a surf lesson, and since then I started going to surf camps in the summer. When I was 14, I started to go more, during the weekends too… but none of my family surfs and my closest wave was 45 minutes by car, so it wasn’t until I got my driver’s license that I really started to go more consistently, almost every day. Actually, pretty late compared with the people I’m surrounded by.

"Stop making excuses and just go and DO IT. "

Why do you surf and what do you love most about surfing?

I think it’s just so fun hahah. But also, when I surf I disconnect from everything and I just think about my surfing. It also gives you a lifestyle surrounded by nature and I think that’s beautiful.

What does your typical day look like?

I wake up, have breakfast, and check the cams. If it’s good, I go surf and then come back home for lunch. Right after, I normally do a little “siesta” and in the afternoon I go train at the gym. Then I come back home and stretch for half an hour. After that: dinner, Netflix, and sleep. But it depends a lot on the forecast and the tides. Sometimes I do the opposite, training first and surfing in the afternoon. Or if the waves are just too good, I surf twice or even three times instead of training at the gym.

Who or what inspires you?

People who fight for their dreams and make them a reality, no matter how difficult they are or the obstacles you have in the process.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your surf journey, and how did you deal with it?

I think surfing big Nazaré for the first time I ever went there was pretty challenging. I didn’t want to think too much, I just went for it and did it hahah.

What do you do to relax?

I like watching series and movies at home, going to the cinema with my mum, and spending time with my friends at the beach not surfing.

If you’re not surfing, you are…

In the airport or in the gym.

Name one thing the world could use more of right now

Quality time for yourself, with no technology.

Do you have a tip for people who want to build a life around freedom (and surfing)?

Get a flexible job that allows you enough time to do the things you like. Also, stop making excuses and just go and DO IT.

What’s the worst job you did so you could surf?

Luckily, I always followed my dreams and didn’t need to do anything more than train hard for that.

What is your favourite surf destination?

Mexico and Mentawai 

What is your favorite surf movie and why?

Nike 6.0, the best girls surf movie. I watched it like 50 times when I was a beginner and dreamed of being and surfing like them. I still watch it sometimes while I’m stretching hahah.

What accounts should we follow on instagram and why?

Surfline and redbullsurfing, if you don’t wanna miss the best surfing performances.

Name one thing you would give up surfing for

Pregnancy, I guess hahah, just for a few months.

Would you rather have unlimited paddle power & speed or night vision so you surf at night?

I love to sleep at night, so I would say paddle power ahhah.

Anything you want to share with our readers?

Trust the process and try to enjoy it.