El Rosario Claims Its First Casualties in the Repechage Rounds, on a Day of Perfect Conditions Dominated by Shortboard and Bodyboard
Photo Gallery – Day 2
Schedule & Results
Photo Credits: Phillipe Demarsan
Monterrico, Guatemala – 5 July 2025 – Yesterday, on Day 1 of the Pan American Surf Festival — PASA Games Guatemala 2025, failing to win a heat meant dropping into repechage. Today, it was do-or-die, and the tension was palpable on the beach.
Uruguay’s Agustín Zanotta felt that pressure after being relegated to repechage by the final wave exchange of his heat. Forced to win two rounds to rejoin the main draw, he hit the water determined and found his best form.
“I’m happy mainly with my performance, because I caught two decent waves in the first three minutes and the heat actually felt long,” he said calmly, secure in his qualification.
Seven other shortboarders also survived both repechage rounds: fellow Uruguayans Martín Ottado and Santiago Medeiro, Mexico’s Luis Rey Hernández, Panama’s José Alexander López, Guatemala’s Carlos Escobar, Peru’s Gabriel Vargas, and Ecuador’s Álex Suárez—the last two turning in the standout performances of the round.
Impeccable Conditions
El Rosario delivered in style, according to the riders themselves.
“The waves aren’t just what I expected—they’re much better. It’s been the best day: good wind, solid size, lefts and rights… truly epic conditions,” said Puerto Rican bodyboarder Anaís Mendoza moments after booking her spot in the semifinals.
Now just one heat from the final and the medals, the three-time Puerto Rican national champion is riding a wave of “huge adrenaline and happiness.” Also advancing to the semifinals in picture-perfect surf were her compatriot Luz Grande; Brazilians Maira Viana (current world champion) and Maylla Venturin (reigning Pan-Am champion); Peru’s Hannah Saavedra; Panama’s Verónica Correa; Venezuela’s Rosmarky del Carmen; and Chile’s Paloma Freyggang.
In men’s bodyboard, the day’s biggest show came from Chile’s Joaquín Soto, who went all-in on a back-flip off one of the set’s largest waves—a true Guatemalan bomb—re-emerging from the backwash when no one expected it.
“One hand slipped off when I hit it, but I grabbed the board again in mid-air. The lip was huge; I didn’t think I’d pull it, but I locked in and landed,” he said, explaining that Chile’s notoriously heavy waves have been his best classroom.
Soto posted both the highest single-wave score (9.70) and the highest heat total (17.77) of the day, winning a heat in which Brazil’s Eder Luciano also advanced—by inches—after a last-minute exchange that edged out Puerto Rico’s Robert Rodríguez.
Panama and Peru Lead the Points Table
With the first eliminations in the books, the leaderboard is taking shape. Having lost only one bodyboarder so far, Peru and Panama sit atop the standings. Close behind are Argentina, Puerto Rico, and host Guatemala, whose squad is showing both local knowledge and competitive maturity.
Follow the competition live at www.pasasurf.org.
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.
About PASA — Pan American Surf Association
Founded in 1992, the Pan American Surf Association (PASA) is the continental body responsible for promoting, regulating, and developing surfing throughout the Americas. Affiliated with the International Surfing Association (ISA) and recognized by Panam Sports, PASA coordinates qualifying events for the Pan American Games and champions the integration of surfing into Olympic programs.
Since its inception, PASA has been pivotal in the growth of surfing as both a competitive and developmental sport—strengthening national federations, promoting surfing as a healthy lifestyle, and supporting new generations of athletes across Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America.