With two days to go, the Boricuas push past Peru and set their sights on a first-ever team gold, powered by Ávila and Rivera’s SUP Race sweep.
Monterrico, Guatemala — July 11, 2025 — Puerto Rico is writing history. After four straight days nipping at Peru’s heels, the Caribbean squad finally jumped into first on Day 8. The updated team table shows Puerto Rico out front with a maximum points potential of 14,830, trailed closely by Argentina (14,648) and now-third-place Peru (14,466). Chile, Panama, and Brazil sit roughly three thousand points back—likely too far for a late run, but nothing is official until Sunday.
Boricua Double Gold in SUP Race
As expected after winning the first two heats, Ricardo Ávila and Mariecarmen Rivera sealed Puerto Rico’s SUP Race sweep. Neither won today’s final leg—Ávila took third behind Brazil’s David Leao and Peru’s Itzel Delgado, while Rivera finished second to Argentina’s Juliette Duhaime—but their earlier wins locked down gold. Ávila learned mid-interview that Puerto Rico had just taken the team lead. “It’s unbelievable. Everyone’s giving 100 percent—we’ve got to keep pushing,” he said. Puerto Rico now owns three of the six gold medals awarded so far.
¡Uruguay Nomá!
The day was also historic for Uruguay: Ignacio Pignataro earned his country’s first individual Pan Am gold, dominating every heat en route to the men’s longboard title. He opened the final with a long left capped by a floater off the lip for a 7.33 and never looked back, fulfilling a lifelong dream of singing the national anthem from the podium.
Rayanne Amaral Delivers Brazil’s First Gold
In a tricky, building swell, Brazil’s Rayanne Amaral fought through early-round setbacks and a repechage detour to claim women’s longboard gold—Brazil’s first medal after near misses in bodyboard and SUP Race. Fighting tears, she called the win extra sweet after missing last year’s squad.
Two Days Left, Four Titles to Decide
Saturday sets the stage for men’s and women’s SUP Surf and shortboard finals—with the overall crown still up for grabs.
Top single-wave score: Ignacio Pignataro (URU) — Men’s Longboard — 7.33
Top heat total: Julian Schweizer (URU) — Men’s Longboard — 12.43
Watch every heat 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 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 promotes surfing throughout the Americas. Affiliated with the International Surfing Association (ISA) and recognized by Panam Sports, PASA runs Pan Am Games qualifiers, drives surfing’s Olympic pathway, and supports national federations while inspiring the next generation across Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America.
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