At What Cost

Carlos Quimi Paladines finishes untangling surfboard leashes out back and heads into his shop to change a tire’s inner tube. A woman with an American accent comes in to rent snorkel gear. A Ukrainian couple hovers by the bikes lined up on the sidewalk and asks about rates.

The 33-year-old owner of Cañón Point chats with the customers amiably, but not for too long. It’s almost 10 a.m., and kids are arriving for surf camp. His part-time teenage employee didn’t come to work today, so he will lock the black iron gates outside his shop while he and the campers head to the beach.

Ten years ago Quimi Paladines, or “Cirro” as he’s known around the island, opened Cañón Point on the waterfront thoroughfare of San Cristóbal to serve both tourists and locals. He offers excursions and gear rentals for surfboarding, skateboarding, snorkeling and biking.

But for local kids, the shop means more. It’s the home base of a community-driven mission to teach a love of sports and their island.