28 May 2010
By Jonathan Jackson and Natalia Meneses. Photography: Jonathan Jackson and cortesy of Luis Chamorro.
When Luis Chamorro was 13, a cousin broke him off with his first surfboard. Getting to the beach though, was up to him.
“I used to walk to Maderas (surf beach), because back then there really was no other means of transportation, tourism hadn’t blown up yet,” Luis recalls. “That’s how I got started, I learned by myself there at the beach and eventually I began competing.”
Luis won his first surf competition in 1999 and it motivated him to keep going strong to win more events – because after all, for a kid addicted to surfing, winning meant more free boards and surf accessories.
Winning also helped him make contacts in the industry and just over a year ago he became one of the few locals in San Juan to open and operate his own surf shop and distribution company.
These days, besides competing solo and as a part of Nicaragua’s National team, and running his shop, Luis ‘Baloy’ Chamorro is doing everything he can to promote surf to another generation – and gender – of San Juaneños.
What has been the competition you won or competed in that you hold closest to your heart?
In Panama there was a contest and I placed third Central American. I made it to the finals and what I loved the most is that I was treated like a professional surfer, you know…at that level. It was an experience I had never lived before.
Everyone calls you Baloy and that’s also the name of your surf shop. What does it mean?
There was a surfer with the last name Maloy, but I used to pronounce it with a ‘B’ instead. He thought it was funny and started calling me ‘Baloy’ and it stuck, it became my nickname.
Tell us a little about your store, you are one of the few locals to own your own surf shop.
The shop has been running for about a year and two months. And besides my own surf business, I also distribute grids, fins, t-shirts, boards and more. I partnered with FCS (Fin Control Systems, one of the premier surf accessory companies) and I’m the one who distributes to most of the other surf shops in San Juan.
What do you see coming for you in the next 10 years?
For my store, I plan to keep growing if God lets me. For me, as I get older I want to evolve and try to help the younger generation that’s behind me.
What do you think of the younger generation of surf in San Juan, for example Rex Calderón, and what about girl surfers like Dunia?
Rex is already at a strong competitive level internationally. He’s already represented Nicaragua in a foreign country, is a great surfer and has a definite future in the sport.
Dunia is someone I’ve been training because I would really like to see Nicaraguan women learn to surf. Generally we don’t have girls on the water.
Why do you think that is? Is there a certain amount of sexism towards women surfers?
Yes I think you are right. It’s definitely more complicated for a women. I had seen Dunia around and she had a lot of talent. I met her in Costa Rica when I participated in a contest. When I came back I looked her up, and thought that she could get motivated to make the circuit and represent Nicaragua with the rest of us. It would be great for other local girls to see her, and somehow be inspired to participate, because nowadays, except for a local in Santana, we only have foreign girls participating in the circuit.
I do like to motivate not only the girls, but everyone. If they need help I try to provide it with wax, a leash, something. I help them because I was helped a lot, so I have to pay it forward. Not necessarily with the ones that helped me, but with the ones that are on their way.
How do you see this new generation? Are they taking the sport in a positive, disciplined way?
Yes, I believe so. I did a small event called “El Semillero”, and it was only for kids, and they came from all over the place, from Popoyo, from all over to compete. I set it up, told them I would help them with transportation and get them inspired. The ones that really want to surf, it’s always there…existing. I know of two kids that are about 12 or 13, the age I was just starting to stand on the board, but they are already ripping it. So that means that when they hit my age, if God lets them, they could be in the world. Those are the new generations.
I love it!
buenisimo! Adelante Nicaragua! Yo represento siempre nosotros aca en California!