The Canarian rider, who specialises in big waves, has taken up residence on the island to train and enjoy her sport all year round
Lanzarote’s excellent conditions for surfing have made the island the usual place of residence for many riders. An example of this is Laura Coviella, a surfer specialising in big waves, who now has her daily training place just a few metres from her home.
“I’ve always loved adrenaline, and surfing was my passion. When I discovered that the two could go hand in hand, I said, “This is my thing.””

Laura began her career in surfing a little later than usual for a professional surfer. The reason, as she herself explains, is that “she didn’t have any family members who rode waves and the nearest beach was 45 minutes away by car.” However, at the age of 12, in El Médano (Tenerife), she felt the sensations of sliding on a board for the first time. Shortly afterwards, her parents, seeing the passion with which Laura spoke of the sea and the waves, decided to gift her her first board.
That was just the beginning. Laura started training with Carlos García and quickly made a name for herself. But training wasn’t enough: “I spent hours and hours watching videos of competitions, and I also wanted to compete.” Thus, she began to make a name for herself among the participants in the surfing competitions on the islands, achieving her first victory in the Canary Islands U-21 circuit.

“My first international competition was here in Lanzarote, in San Juan, organised by Franito, if I’m not mistaken.”
Lanzarote played a key role in her career, as it was here where, at the age of 18, she had her first international experience when she participated in the Pro Junior WSL, an event organised by Franito Sáenz. “It was really at that moment when I bet everything on surfing and I knew that I would have to train a lot if I wanted to make a living out of it, and fortunately it hasn’t gone badly,” Laura recalls. Shortly after, she would make the jump to the WSL Qualifying Series circuit.
But Laura Coviella’s ambition didn’t stop there. She wanted to keep her adrenaline pumping on the board and found her place in the big waves. “I was always the craziest of my friends: I jumped from the highest places, I looked for the most dangerous spots. Everything they didn’t dare to do, I did. I think I’ve always loved adrenaline, and surfing is my passion,” says Laura. The combination of both worlds led her to carve out a space for herself in big wave surfing on her own merits. Meeting David ‘Vilayta’ was key to improving her preparation and taking a firm step in this exciting challenge.
Her move to Lanzarote is the result of a well thought-out decision: “Lanzarote is an ideal place to train, due to the consistency and power of its big waves. You can also change spots in a few minutes and they all offer something positive. That’s why I decided to come and live here”, explains Laura.
Looking ahead, Laura has ambitious dreams: “I want to be the first girl to ride one of the world’s best barrels in reverse stance, compete in the Eddie Aikau someday, and, above all, inspire young riders to experience this world the way I am living it.” Laura sums up her current personal situation with a phrase that reflects her passion: “I’m very happy to do what I love every day, and that it’s also my job.”
