The first one came from the WQS in Ericeira, a 6 star event that took place right outside his house.
Luis did not want to start his QS season until next year when he would follow the European tour but, having the opportunity to enter an event at the beach he surfs most days when he is at home, made all sense and, when he was honored a Wild Card from the ASP, then there was no question about it. He was in and he was doing it.
Due to his wild card, he was seeded to Round 96. It was a busy event that saw surfers from the World Tour entering, like Tiago "saca " Pires and Jeremy Flores. Josh Kerr, from Australia, who had just won and event, was also there.
It was not the best result for Luis but it was good to get an idea of what the Big Boys Tour is all about and what he needs to improve on if he wants to get results for 2011.
Two weeks later, it was the 5 Star WQS event in El Confital, a super shallow and heavy right hander, normally dominated by body boarders, in Las Palmas Gran Canaria.
Luis was unsure about this wave but having a full day training there before the contest, and getting one of the heaviest sets on the head, settled down the nerves and he knew what to expect.
The first day rose with a pretty decent size swell and allowing for some excellent scores and deep barrels.
Luis was in 3rd place, needing a small score, when a set came and it opened up into a mutant barrel Luis went for it, only to get the rail clipped and falling just before the exit :)
Although it meant he did not advance to the next round, it gave him a perfect sight into whats to come next year and plenty more confidence to take on the big heavy waves.
Luis now has a decent seeding for next year, meaning that hopefully he will not have to start in the first rounds of most events.
As they say, the first time is always the hardest so, it can only get better from now on :)
See below some photos that were on the ASP sites for both events.
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