The future of Surfing in Panama

As Argentina’s Santiago Muñiz secures a place in the 2019 Pan Am Games some might be wondering, where will Panama sit as the sport of surfing makes it’s historic debut next year in Lima?

While Panama was not on the podium at the recent ISA qualifier, the country has a lot of young talent, and a growing community developing the sport of surfing in the country. 

The International Surfing Association (ISA) continues to increase coaching development and foster ocean safety within the country. Earlier this year the Panama Surfing Association (APS) in cooperation with the ISA hosted courses in Playa Venao, Pedasi Panama. The series, supported by Olympic Solidarity and the Panamanian Olympic Committee, was the first surfing development course held in the region backed by the Olympic committee. The event brought together current and past national champions, instructors, schools and kids to talk about ocean safety, surfing, SUP surfing and flat water SUP. 

The seminars offered international Surf and SUP Instructor Aquatic Rescue and Safety Course. Participants were equipped with essential CPR, First Aid, and Ocean Rescue techniques. These lessons aimed to increase awareness and drowning prevention in the country. The course, a partnership between the ISA and the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS), was a key building block in a foundation based in ocean safety. Creating ambassadors to foster the opportunity for kids to surf in Panama, will play a role in the future development of surfing as a sport in Panama. And if the country continues to work together with the APS international organizations like the ISA to increase coaching development and ocean safety the sport will grow.

With a successful national circuit, internationally trained instructors and a community that love to surf, there could be a future Olympic gold medalist in Panama. 

Follow the current champs on their journey to qualify for Surfing’s big debut at the Olympics with at www.isasurf.org 

 The competition schedule for September 20 is the following:

 • 8:00am-9:00am: Aloha Cup Semifinal 1 (FRA, MEX, JPN, CRC)

 • 9:00am-10:00am: Aloha Cup Semifinal 2 (POR, ESP, PER, USA)

 • 10:00am-11:00am: Aloha Cup Final

The schedule for the remainder event will be as follows*:

 • September 20-22* – Competition at Long Beach, Tahara

 • September 22 – Closing Ceremony at Long Beach following the close of competition

*Schedule subject to change due to conditions