surfmag.ch: Hello Lalo, can you introduce yourself in a few words?
Lalo Goya, Francisco Goya’s younger brother.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on February 22, 1977. But I grew up on Maui, Hawaii since a young age.
I now bounce around between Hawaii, Europe and Asia Managing and developing Quatro International and Goya Windsurfing.

When and where was your last surf / sails session?
I surfed last weekend in the Basque Country. Good fun but nothing epic. It is starting to get cold up there though, so I may start heading more to the Caribbean or the Canaries, although I do have plans to be in Hawaii next month.
Sailed… ouch, it hasn’t been that windy. But I did get a couple of really nice days up in Pals, near Girona three weeks ago. Super windy and wavy. And two weeks ago I got a crazy session two hours south of Barcelona in the Delta with my  3.3 sail completely overpowered. The gusts must have been over 60 Knots… it was crazy, I could barely sail straight.

What’s your job? can you explain how quatro / goya / mfc / forward hawaii and oceans4hawaii works together?
I am the GM from Ocean 4 Hawaii, and therefore manage and oversea all of the Worldwide aspects from Quatro International and Goya Windsurfing, from the creation of products, marketing, management and sales.
As for MFC, we collaborate with Pio Marasco (MFC owner) on the development of products and we like to implement some of his key products into our line.
As to how everything works together, it just does. The three companies share infrastructure both in Hawaii and in the new European base in Barcelona.

How could you describe your relationship with your brother?
My relationship with Francisco is first family. We do all the things a family does:  like dinners, or holidays but besides that we also share our passion in the water. We have always gotten along really well and that must be one of the main reasons why we work so well together. We actually do very different jobs within the company. He is the creator and master mind of Goya, the dreamer that comes up with all of those crazy ideas. Once he finalizes these ideas I’ll make them happen and get them into the market.

Have you been a surfpro as well?
Was I a PRO? Sort of… For a few years I toured around the world with Francisco doing PWA wave events. Although I never did really well, it was an amazing time. Most of all, it was a great opportunity to see the world in this way.

How often do you visit your Home Argentina?
Not enough, last time I went was about 10 years ago.

What’s the mission your company?
Our mission is to make the highest quality products with the most innovative and progressive design. We want to give our clients the same things that we want from our gear, not a product diluted in cost and creativity by hyper inflated marketing budgets and large margin incentives. We make what we want to ride, a product with the ultimate performance and the longest life spam possible.

How often do you find time to go on the water, besides your work?
When I am on Maui I try to get in the water at least 4 times a week if conditions provide. In Europe it’s a little different and varies a lot more. But I stay wet as much as possible and compensate with a little Gym, Yoga and Bike.

In our first issue we will have a big interview with Pascal Bronnimann (Pascal is working for Goya and Quatro). Did he bring some Swiss traditions over to Maui?
For sure he did, He is one of the most dedicated, organized and hard working guys I know. I consider my self very lucky to have a chance to work with Pascal and really hope that we have a long shared future ahead of us.

Have you ever been snowboarding in Switzerland?
Not yet but I am planning on going this winter since I am so close.

Anything else?
Yep! Celebrate your sport, the environment and everyone in the water.
This puts in words what we try to put into Goya Sails and Boards the spirit we try to put in everything we make. Windsurfing as a sport has the most amazing people that I have seen in any given community of sports. We feel very lucky to have the chance to be a part of it all.
I wish you all the best wind and waves!

Aloha,
Lalo Goya