“BUSKING FOR A SURFBOARD MADE ME A FRIEND FOR LIFE”

Pacha Luque-Light, 12

I was about to turn 10 and was learning to surf. I really wanted a board so Mum suggested I help raise the money by busking. Grandma kept an eye on me and I made a sign that read “Busking for a board”, turned on my music and began to dance.

I was doing pretty well when a blonde girl joined me. I thought, this is cool – a teenager goofing about with me. Then she disappeared and returned carrying a surfboard. “Would you like this?” she asked.

“Really? Thank you!” I said. She asked my name and wrote on it: “Dear Pacha, you’re the best dancer ever. Now have fun in the surf, xoxoxo Laura.”

After she’d walked away, a boy came up and said, “I’ll give you $ 500 for that board.”

“No way,” I replied. I had such a great feeling that someone thought I was good enough to give me such a gift. I took the board out that afternoon. I was only a beginner and it was a light performance board so it was a while before I could stand up on it. Mum got on the internet and figured out who “Laura” was – she was star rookie Laura Enever. I was even happier.

We’ve stayed in touch. I went to one of her surf camps and she got me onto the waves. She invited me to the VIP area of a Roxy Pro comp and I stood there with Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson and Coco Ho. I didn’t know who any of them were and I could smack myself in the head now for not getting their autographs!

I invited Laura to my 12th birthday party on the Gold Coast, and even though she’s on the pro tour now, she came and stayed for the whole thing, danced, ate cake and gave me a present – a bikini, bag, shorts and T-shirt. It was so generous.

I surf every morning before school. I even came second in a competition and I recently found out that I’ve been accepted into a sports excellence program in surfing at Palm Beach Currumbin high school. I love thinking I’m on Laura’s board – it makes me feel really special.