Cover photo: Philippe Demarsan

Text in collaboration with Fernando Cataldo.

The men’s Shortboard competition started today, Wednesday, April 26.

Peru’s Lucca Mesinas, Argentina’s Franco Radzuinas, Panama’s Tao Rodriguez, and Venezuela’s Francisco Bellorin posted the highest scores of the day.

As we enter the middle of the 2023 Pan American Surfing Games (PASG) in Santa Catalina, Panama, we start to catch a glimpse of the teams competing in the following days for the Pan American Team Champion Title.

Brazil is in first place, with 15775 points and 15 athletes still in the competition, followed by Peru in second place with 15433 points and 14 athletes in the event. In third sits Canada with 14848 points and 13 athletes competing in different categories.

Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Mexico are next in the Ranking.

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Photos Michael Tweddle / @nat.wild.photos

Check current team standings by clicking here 

Forecasts before the event showed not-so-good wave conditions, but as competition has advanced, Santa Catalina has delivered fair conditions with size and consistent waves, especially during mid-tides.

Today the path for the medals began for the Men’s Shortboard category, with great performances, close heats, and good scores overall in all 24 Heats of do-or-die (as only 1st and 2nd place advance) Round 1, contested in this 5th day.

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Photos: Philippe Demarsan / @philippedemarsan1

In Round 1 of Men’s Shortboard, Lucca Mesinas from Peru, Lima 2019 Games Gold Medalist, and former WSL CT competitor scored the highest combination of the day, with 16,67 points during Heat 21, against Oscar Urbina from Costa Rica (2nd place) and Gian Marco Oliva from Dominican Republic (3rd place).

Franco Radziunas from Argentina scored the 2nd best score of 15.60 during Heat 8, leaving Martin Ottado from Uruguay in 2nd and Juan Carlos Ramos from El Salvador in 3rd.

Both local Tao Rodriguez from Panama, and the 2018 PASA Pan American Champion Francisco Bellorin from Venezuela, scored 15.50, the third-best of the day.

The competition resumes tomorrow at 7:00 am (Panama time) with Men’s Shortboard Round 2, Men’s Longboard Round 2, and Women’s SUP Surf Round 2. Watch the live webcast at www.pasasurf.org.

The XVI edition of the Pan American Surfing Games is possible thanks to:

• Panama Tourism Authority
• Pandeportes
• Psycho Tuna
• G-SHOCK
• Reef
• Amstel Ultra
• COS channel
• COPA Airlines

We also thank the Media Partners Surfing República, Canal PX Sports and Super Deportes.