Within the framework of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the French government, in collaboration with the Pan American Surfing Association (PASA), organized a cultural and sports exchange program called Olympic Surfing Generation.

The program brought together 30 young surfers from 15 countries in Punta Rocas, Peru, where they participated in an intensive training program, cultural activities, and learning experiences.

Comprehensive training:

Under the guidance of experienced coach Ricardo Kaufman, participants immersed themselves in high-performance surfing techniques, including pool apnea with the MBS program by Piero Saenz and an extreme pool championship with BP and Rodrigo Jiménez.

Kaufman also dedicated time to mental preparation, providing young people with tools to face the challenges of sport and life.

A cultural exchange:

Young surfers from France had the opportunity to share experiences with their peers from Latin America, creating lasting friendships.

They visited the Franco-Peruvian school, enjoyed the local culture in Miraflores and Barranco, and participated in a cocktail party at the French Alliance where a photographic exhibition and a conversation about Olympic surfing were held, organized by French Alliance in Peru and with the collaboration of French institutions.

A legacy for the future:

Olympic Surfing Generation aims to promote the development of surfing in Latin America and prepare the next generation of athletes for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The experience in Punta Rocas has left an indelible mark on the participants, motivating them to pursue their sporting and personal dreams.

Karin Sierralta, President of PASA, said:

“For me, it has been a very enriching experience to witness how a generation strives to evolve in sport, as well as in life. It is already a victory for everyone. That a world surfing power country visits the CAR surf in Punta Rocas and is surprised by the level of infrastructure and maintenance is a source of pride for Peru and the people behind the sustainability and maintenance of the Pan American venues.”

“We will continue to hold these camps and cultural exchanges to continue promoting Olympic values.”

This cultural and sports exchange was possible thanks to the collaboration between PASA, the French Embassy, the French Surfing Federation (FFS), and the French Alliance in Peru. It also had the support of Legado, Perú Surf, and the companies Equans and Lima Expresa by Vinci.

Participants

ARGENTINA

KATYA WIRSCH

JUAN GARCÍA

BRASIL

NICOLAS OLIVEIRA

CHILE

Rafaella Montesi

Chiara Bagoni Landeta

COSTA RICA

Tamaya Murphrey Zuñiga

ECUADOR

Tomas Emilio Vergara

FRANCIA

HUGO FLORI

AARON BACON

ESTEBAN COUCOULIS

AXEL DOMINGUEZ

INIGO MADINA

JAY PHIPPS

ENOHA LE PIERES

XAN ATCHOARENA-MASTERSON

NAIA MONTE

CLÉMENCE SCHORSCH

ANAIS BLANCHARD

LILYA AMBERT

NICARAGUA

JACK KROP

AINE JOY CRILLY

PANAMÁ

KELY GASPAROVIC

REPUBLICA DOMINICANA

GAEL REYES

VENEZUELA

YANDEL MERENDES

PERU

URPI TORRES

CATALINA SARIQUIEY

LUCCA CHIPOCO

POL HUGUET

SEAN GOLTZMIT

ADRIÁN DE OSMA

ALEJANDRO BERNALES

SOFIA HERNÁNDEZ

AISSA CHUMAN

REBECA ROBLES

MARIANO MAUGUERE 

CAMILA  SANDAY