Words and lifestyle photos: Sharpy  action photo: WSL/Masurel

Behind the scenes with Gran Canaria’s Luis Diaz when he hit Cornwall to compete at Boardmasters.

My routine for the day started super early because I was actually staying in Woolacombe! Which is like two hours away from Newquay. I was staying with my good friend Alex Baudain, who’s also from the Canaries, and our friend Hannah who lives in Woolacombe – that’s why we stayed there really. Every day I’d get up and drive the two and half hours down to Newquay. Go for a morning free surf and then spend the day at the site. As soon as I finished a heat, I tried to get away from the beach and chill.

The contest so was much better than other events. The set up is bigger than other QS 1000 events around the world. I guess it’s because of the festival. There are so many people around, it was crazy busy. But it was really cool because there were so many people watching us surf and asking for autographs and stuff on the beach.

There are so many people around, it was crazy busy. But it was really cool because there were so many people watching us surf and asking for autographs and stuff on the beach.

Apart from surf, I didn’t do much. I was actually super focussed on the event. I didn’t go to the festival or party at all. I was sticking to my goals in the event which was to do really well. I felt really good in the contest. I ended up in fifth place. The waves were pretty tricky with a couple of small days and then some bigger days with some wind. I ended up losing in the quarterfinals. I had one really good wave, but I just didn’t get the opportunity to get that second solid score. I still felt I could have gone further and won the contest. But a fifth place is ok, it’s good to have some good heats and build some confidence and take that on to the next one. Food wise I pretty much just tried to eat simple stuff around the contest. Nothing too crazy, a few pizzas and things but I just don’t like fish and chips like you English folks…