Derek started surfing in Luquillo when he was 12 years old. What began as a kid spending every possible hour in the water turned into years of competing, training, and building a deep respect for the ocean.

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He’s been competing since he was young and continues to stay active in Puerto Rico’s surf scene. In 2024, he ranked Top 15 in the FSPR (Federación de Surfing de Puerto Rico), a recognition of his skill and consistency in the water.

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He founded Surfing Connection PR in 2022 to create the kind of surf school he believes in, one built on patience, safety, and real coaching. He won’t just send you into waves; he’ll teach you how to read them, how to move with them, and how to feel at home in the ocean.

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For Derek, surfing isn’t just something you try on vacation. It’s part of who he is, and he’s proud to share it in the place he’s always called home.