With some of the local and international authorities present along with some of best respresentatives from the extreme sports sector of Chile, the VIII Panamerican Surfing Games, Iquique 2007 were launched at the end of November 2006. The mayor, Marco Pérez, explained the importance of this event, which will bring together more than 400 surfers next year to the coast of Iquique. The vice-president of the Chilean Surf Federation, Mauricio Godoy, presented a report of the achievements of Chile in international competitions, especially during the Panamerican competitions. The president of the Pan American Surf Association, Maile Aguerre, explained the importance that this competition holds for more than the 20 countries involved and about the economic benefits that the city will gain from this event. The president of the Chilean Surf Federation, Cristián González, talked about the first efforts to bring the VIII Panamerican Surfing Games to life and how much he wanted to bring the Games to Iquique. The chief of sports of Cormudesi, Sammy Murillo, recognized the hard work that it will take to organize the Panamerican Surfing Games, but he promised to work hard with the other member of the federation to have the event ready for November 2007.

With the date quickly approaching, the local and national committees of extreme aquatic sports do not want to leave any details behind. This is why they are already organizing the first committees, so that the event that promises to bring more than 500 surfers from more than 22 countries will be a success. Local management met in the “salón de la minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi”, where they outlined the first details of the event. The first task was to appoint the board of directors for the “Asociación de Surf de Iquique”, which was eventually postponed after being decided that other priorities exist.

Currently, the president of the local association is Cristián González, who according to constitution, must leave his position in the next few days so that the next person can assume post for the next four years of term. The assembly that will organize the management of the surf federations and associations was also chosen, these persons will travel especially to Iquique to oversee and help with the realization of the Panamerican Surfing Games.

The president of the Pan American Surf Association, Maile Aguerre, a Hawaii native and surfer explained the characteristics that led her and her team to choose Iquique as the host of the 2007 Panamerican Surfing Games:

- Is this your first time in Iquique?
- I came here 15 years ago for business and I was already pretty familiar with the waves. I lived in Peru for three years and had an Argentinian partner for 10 years, so I am very familiar with this part of the Americas.

- For how long have you been president of PASA, and why was Chile chosen as host for the next Panamerican Surfing Games?
- I have been in charge of PASA for the past 9 months. We decided that Chile would make a great host because before the contest had been held in Brazil and Venezuela, and this would be a good alternative according to a presentation given by the members of the “Federación Chilena de Surf” (Chilean Surf Federation).

- How will the city benefit from an event of this size?
- Imagine the great impact between surfers, especially between the younger ones and the ones that are new to such an event. Also benefiting will be the tourist industry including hotels and actually, since the international press will be covering this event, the whole city is sure to benefit.

- Is it a problem, towards the development of surfing, that governments do not provide necessary resources for competition since it is not considered an Olympic sport?
- Unfortunately yes. However, mentality on this issue is changing. Like in Brazil, where the surf is considered a strategic sport. At the Panamerican in Iquique, I was told that the city will support the competition, which I consider very positive.

- What does the agenda look like for your first visit in Iquique?
- We will watch the waves where the competition will take place and learn the infrastructure needed. Also, I will attend the launch of the Panamerican Surfing Games, scheduled for Friday at 8pm at the building of the “Ex Aduana”. Furthermore, we have to meet with the organizers, meaning the board of directors of the Federación Chilena de Surf.