On another dream-like morning at El Rosario, Panama’s Edwin Núñez and Puerto Rico’s Luz Grande rose to the top of the podium.
Monterrico, Guatemala — July 7, 2025 — In men’s bodyboard there was no debate—the crown went to the most in-form rider. Edwin Núñez may not have arrived as the odds-on favorite, but the former Central American and Caribbean champion was firmly in the mix. A 2024 Pan Am finalist in Peru, he spent the week stamping himself as the man to beat: winning every heat on the road to the final and logging the second- and third-highest single waves of the division. Feeling the rhythm, he spent last night visualizing gold.
Facing Brazilians Eder Luciano and Socrates Santana plus Peru’s Cristopher Bayona, Núñez needed only three waves. His second (8.00) and third (6.77) sealed the deal, leaving the field chasing. Fighting back tears, he called it “the biggest achievement” of his career and hopes the result attracts the sponsors he needs to chase the full world tour. The victory is historic—Panama’s first medal in 18 editions of the Pan Am Surf Games. “It’s pure pride,” said Team Manager Ilka Vargas. “Edwin’s flawless run sets a precedent and fires up our whole squad.”
Grande lives up to her name
The women’s final told a different story. Brazil’s Maira Viana and Maylla Venturin held first and second until Puerto Rico’s Luz Grande found salvation in the dying seconds. “It was all or nothing,” she said. Grande launched into the set wave, committed to a long bottom turn and a clean roll, and stuck it. Unaware of the score as she hit the sand, she watched Viana celebrate—until the beach announcer dropped a 6.50, the highest wave of the final, flipping the result. Grande credited intense mental training with her sports psychologist: “Staying positive and getting back up when I fall was the key.”
Peru’s 17-year-old revelation Hannah Saavedra finished fourth; had she completed a late roll, she would have medaled against opponents twice her age.
In four days of action, bodyboarding has given a great show with high-risk moves in strong surf. “We gave bodyboarding the continental spotlight it deserves, as we enjoyed great commitment and technical skills from all athletes,” said PASA president Karín Sierralta, congratulating the new champions.
Live action continues
Day 4 rolls on with men’s and women’s SUP Surf, men’s Shortboard, and men’s Longboard. Watch live 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 vital 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 develops surfing across the Americas. An affiliate of the International Surfing Association (ISA) and recognized by Panam Sports, PASA runs Pan Am Games qualifiers and champions surfing’s place in the Olympic movement, strengthening national federations and mentoring the next generation of surfers throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America.