The bodyboard gold-medal line-ups are set, and the men’s shortboard draw now has its first four semifinalists.

Monterrico, Guatemala — July 6, 2025 — For the third straight morning, El Rosario turned on a showcase of solid, fast, hollow waves for the PASA Games Guatemala 2025. The surf fired from dawn until early afternoon, when rising winds put the contest on hold.

That window was all Brazil needed to remind everyone why it still rules Pan-American bodyboarding: it’s the only nation to push all four of its riders into the finals.

  • Men’s bodyboard final: Socrates Santana & Eder Luciano (BRA) vs. Edwin NĂșñez (PAN) & Cristopher Bayona (PER)
  • Women’s bodyboard final: Maira Viana & Maylla Venturin (BRA) vs. Luz Grande (PUR) & Hannah Saavedra (PER)

Keep an eye on Saavedra. The Peruvian prodigy is still eligible for juniors, yet she knocked out reigning world champ Viana in Round 2 and current Pan-Am champ Venturin in the semis.

Shake-Ups in Men’s Shortboard

The bracket busted wide open when favorites like El Salvador’s Bryan PĂ©rez, Peru’s RaĂșl RĂ­os, Ecuador’s Maximiliano SĂĄenz, and Panama’s Kalani GarcĂ­a bowed out earlier than expected.

Rolling on was defending Pan-Am champ Sebastián Williams of Mexico. Williams threaded the day’s best barrel, then backed it up with another keeper to cruise into the semis.

“Winning Pan Ams again would be huge for my career,” he said on the beach. “Being able to call myself a two-time champ would give me major momentum for what’s next.”

Williams has proven he can win anywhere—from the pointbreak of Punta Rocas to the punchy beachbreak of El Rosario—but he’s steering clear of overconfidence.

“I hate feeling like the guy to beat. Anyone can win, perfect surf or junk surf. It comes down to who’s most in tune with the ocean and makes the smartest calls.”

Joining him are the surfers who picked the best waves and made them count as conditions swung from groomed tubes to wind-ripped walls:

  • Semifinal 2: SebastiĂĄn Williams (MEX) vs. Lucas PĂ©rez del Solar (PER) — two slots still to fill
  • Semifinal 1: Roberto Araki (CHI) vs. Bruce Burgos (ECU) — two slots still to fill

Watch Live

Catch every heat at www.pasasurf.org.

About the Event

The PASA Games Guatemala 2025 Surf Festival is produced by ASOSURF, the Confederación Deportiva Autónoma de Guatemala, and the Guatemalan Olympic Committee, with key support from 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.

About PASA — Pan American Surf Association

Founded in 1992, the Pan American Surf Association (PASA) governs and grows surfing across the Americas. An affiliate of the International Surfing Association (ISA) and recognized by Panam Sports, PASA runs all continental qualifiers for the Pan American Games and champions surfing’s place in the Olympic movement.

For more than three decades, PASA has fueled the sport’s competitive and cultural rise—strengthening national federations, promoting surfing as a healthy lifestyle, and nurturing the next generation of talent throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America.