Lucca Mesinas Novaro was born in 1996 to surfing parents. He grew up in the small fishing town of Máncora in the far north of Peru. It was a town that Ernest Hemingway often visited and is said to have inspired The Old Man and the Sea. That classic novel however doesn’t mention the incredible waves that surround the village.

Mesinas was first taught surfing by his dad at the age of seven, and by 10 finished second in his age group in the National Titles. His surfing was groomed by the powerful waves and he has a highly technical and fluid style based on powerful rail carves. With several world-class lefthanders in the vicinity, it is no surprise that his backhand is his most lethal weapon.

After a stellar junior career Mesinas hit the QS full time in 2015. In 2018 he won two QS events to finish a career-best ranking of no 68. The following year he was the first surfer to secure Olympic selection when he won the Pan Pacific Games held at home in Peru.

Instagram: @luccamesinas