The waves of Playa Venao are ready to welcome the athletes who will be competing in the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026 regional surfing competition.
From April 13 to 16, the province of Los Santos will be the stage for a Surf #AOtroNivel competition where 53 athletes from 9 countries will seek to win medals on the Panamanian beach.
The competition area will be strategically located in front of the Surf Factory Academy, a prime spot due to the consistency of its waves. The event will have the following format:
Surf and Bodyboard: The Shortboard, Bodyboard, and SUP Surf categories will be contested in exciting 20-minute heats under a double-elimination system, guaranteeing a second chance for the athletes and more action for the spectators.
SUP Race: The adrenaline will shift to the Technical Race, a 3.5 to 4 kilometer circuit with spectacular and challenging beach starts.
The competition will also feature renowned figures who elevate the event’s technical level. Among the athletes to watch are:
Shortboard: Argentina’s Thiago Passeri, Colombia’s Romeo Chávez, and Panama’s local favorite, Víctor Camarena. In the women’s division, Peru’s Catalina Zariquiey and Argentina’s Victoria Muñoz are the favorites.
Bodyboard: The presence of the outstanding Peruvian athlete Hannah Saavedra promises high-impact maneuvers on the waves of Venao.
After four days of competition, the event will culminate on April 16, 2026, with the awards ceremony. A total of 7 gold medals will be awarded, crowning the new champions at one of the most important stops on the current surfing calendar.
EVENT DETAILS
Dates: April 13-16, 2026
Location: Venao Beach, Pedasí, Los Santos (In front of Surf Factory)
Participants: 53 athletes from 9 countries
Grand Final: April 16
