The 18th edition of the continent’s premier surfing celebration kicks off with more than 230 delegation members from 16 American nations.
Photo Credits: PHILIPPE DEMARSAN
Monterrico, Guatemala – 3 July 2025 – The Pan American Surf Festival — PASA Games Guatemala 2025 is officially under way. After a morning of training in increasingly demanding conditions at El Rosario’s waves, delegations from 16 countries gathered in the afternoon for the Nations Parade at Hotel Dos Mundos. The ceremony burst with color as athletes and staff, proudly wearing their national uniforms, waved flags and shared moments of camaraderie.
Representatives from each team took part in the traditional Sands Ceremony, placing sand from an emblematic beach of their country into a single urn to symbolize unity throughout Pan-American surfing.
A Milestone for Guatemalan Surfing
This event marks Guatemala’s debut as host of the PASA Games. The Central American nation is following in the footsteps of neighbors who have tapped surfing to boost tourism, energize coastal regions, and promote the sport among youth.
“Having the event here—being able to see all the competitors from other countries without needing to travel—is spectacular,” said Pedro José Vergara, a member of the chapín squad in the SUP Race division. In his first appearance at an event of this caliber, Vergara is thrilled by the opportunity for his country and aims to go as far as possible. “I hope more people join this sport. Personally, finishing in the Top 10 would be a dream.”
High-Caliber Surf Ahead
El Rosario’s beachbreak is poised to deliver hollow, powerful waves for the opening days of competition. Bodyboarders are among the most excited by the forecast and are ready to don the contest jerseys.
“These waves are great for us—big, hollow, with ramps—and it’s really chévere to compete in surf like this. The boys have already been putting on a show in practice,” said Peru’s Hannah Saavedra, still a junior competitor but already a national champion and ranked among the world’s top three junior bodyboarders.
Venezuelan shortboarder Rossany Álvarez echoed the enthusiasm. Though the waves differ greatly from the typically small surf in her homeland, she believes she can capitalize on the conditions and raise her flag to the highest level.
“First, I need to learn how the ocean works here and how I can perform in these waves. That’s one of the Venezuelans’ secrets: the potential in big, fast, powerful waves—which we usually don’t have—actually favors us. Personally, I love big surf and I’m enjoying it a lot. I’m not fully in rhythm yet, but little by little I’ll be prepared and ready to give it my all,” said the “Little Panther.”
The Show Begins at El Rosario
Friday brings the first day of competition at the Pan American Surf Festival — PASA Games Guatemala 2025. The tentative schedule has men’s shortboard tackling El Rosario’s waves first at 8:00 a.m., followed by women’s and then men’s bodyboard.
Barring changes, heats will run until 4:00 p.m., wrapping up a day featuring 24 twenty-minute heats.
About the Event
The Pan American Surf Festival — PASA Games Guatemala 2025 is organized by ASOSURF, the Confederación Deportiva Autónoma de Guatemala, and the Guatemalan Olympic Committee. The event would not be possible without the support of the Municipality of Taxisco (Santa Rosa), Naturalmente Santa Rosa, Hoteles Dos Mundos, Hotel Pazífico, Johnny’s Place, El Faro Hotel, Hotel El Delfín, Dulce y Salado Hotel, Mangoya Jungle, Hidravida, Maya Jade, Hawaiian Paradise, Hotel San Gregorio, Maya Internacional Transporte Turístico, Utz Tzava Beach Hotel, Marbella Ecolodge, Hotel Honolulu, and One Pixel.