Alberto Correa, Industrial Engineer & Owner, Boldster Surfaces
Meet the installation expert and connector bringing Grand Slam quality courts to Latin America.
Alberto Correa is more than a supplier — he’s a connector, a coach and a catalyst for hardcourt sports across Latin America. With a growing installation network across Central and South America, Alberto has helped introduce Laykold surfaces into regions traditionally dominated by clay courts. This has positioned him as a key player in Laykold’s expert partner network which is the largest in the industry. We sat down with him to learn how he is helping to shape the market across the region.
How would you describe the current hardcourt sports landscape in Latin America? What’s driving the demand?
It’s still a niche market. In Central America especially, 98% of courts are still clay, so getting people to transition to hard court surfaces is a challenge. But things are changing. Pickleball is booming and it’s creating new demand. People are starting to see Laykold not just for tennis, but for other sports. Sometimes even in unexpected places, like velodromes. Sports clubs are popping up and hotels are a strong market because they want low-maintenance courts that last, which is exactly what Laykold delivers.
Guatemala Tennis Federation
Asuncion, Paraguay
What are the biggest challenges of building and maintaining hard courts in your region?
A lot of courts here are clay, but that comes with trade-offs. These courts are slow and not great for play. It’s hard to get people to change their mindset, especially when clay is the tradition. But when I show them Laykold and explain how it’s not just paint but a full coating system backed by hours of scientific R&D, their perspective shifts. Maintenance is lower, performance is better, the court is more sustainable, and players love the feel.
How did you first get involved with Laykold?
I’ve been in commercial and residential surface coatings since the ‘90s in Argentina. In 2001, I moved into decorative concrete in the US and found success there. But it all started with a call from a customer in Costa Rica asking for a court coating. That job turned out to be one of my best customers to this day. A few years later, I met a Laykold rep at the Miami Open and asked if I could sell his courts. That was the beginning of a great partnership.
From there, business grew by word of mouth. I had friends and customers in Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Panama, as well as El Salvador and I just started expanding. Laykold didn’t have a big presence in the region, so I helped build that bridge.
Basketball court, Lima, Peru
Laykold Acrylic Track, San Jose, Costa Rica
What sets Laykold apart from other surfacing systems for your market?
For me, the Miami Open and US Open partnerships are huge selling points in Latin America. The Grand Slam quality of these high-profile tournaments give me credibility with customers because it’s an endorsement they respect. Also, Laykold is a high-quality product. Once someone experiences it for themselves, they remark how impressed they are by it.
You must have installed courts in some interesting places. How do you adapt your installation methods to local climates?
My installers know how to build. Heavy rain in tropical climates can be intense so we’ll build a tent over the court and keep working. In many cases, we can finish a project in just six hours to a day, depending on conditions.
Tell us about your installer network. You’re helping train the next generation, right?
Exactly. I’m not just a supplier as I’ve spent over 25 years building relationships. I’ll train one person and soon he trains ten more. I’m converting clay court builders into Laykold installers. It’s a cultural shift, but one that’s slowly taking root.
My customers are my installers and that trust is everything. There’s a lack of formal training in sport coatings in the region, so I try to fill that gap. Whether it’s Costa Rica, Peru, Honduras, or even Turks and Caicos, I work with people who care about quality.
“I believe that investing in athlete development is the next step for the region. If we can give players high-quality courts from a young age, they’ll be better prepared. And that helps both clubs and coaches.”
What’s next for you and Laykold in the Latin American market?
We’re still growing. There’s great potential in places like Guatemala, Colombia, Uruguay and Mexico. I’m optimistic about the opportunities. As more people see what Laykold can do, more doors open.
I believe that investing in athlete development is the next step for the region. If we can give players high-quality courts from a young age, they’ll be better prepared. And that helps both clubs and coaches.
What makes Laykold an ideal choice in your market?
Because it works. Laykold courts are durable, sustainable, beautiful and trusted by the best tournaments in the world. When I talk to people about Laykold, I don’t sell, I share the vision. It’s about quality, connection, and the love of the game.