The Brazilian Team is the big winner getting three out of four gold medals at South American Beach Games  

South American Beach Games
December 9 to 13, 2009 
Montoya, Punta del Este, Uruguay

The history-making 1^st edition of the South American Beach Games was a huge success. Surfing was part of the Sports Program for the second time in a row, and the great waves and high surfing level showed the world that is possible to have Surfing in an Olympic Movement recognized event.

Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela went to Punta del Este with full teams of six to compete in the Mens, Womens, Aloha Cup and Air Show divisions. These teams didn’t travel as National Surfing Teams as they’re used to, but as National Olympic Teams, along with their counterparts of Beach Volley, Beach Soccer, Sailing and the other disciplines that were held in Punta del Este and Montevideo.

The waves of Montoya created an excellent scenario for the event. There was a five-day waiting period, and four of the days were used in which tremendous waves occurred.   

It was clear that not only the Olympic flag was waving on the beach, but also the sense of Olympic spirit. It was an elite surfing event with all of the surfers giving everything for their countries to win a medal, but at the same time sharing and uniting the South American nations through surfing.

Brazil was the big winner, getting three out of four golds and a total of five out of twelve medals during the Games. The other gold medal went to Peru, with their top star surfer, Analí Gómez, winning the Womens division. Argentina and Venezuela also made history, as their athletes earned some of the other medals throughout the event.

Comments about the chances of having surfing in the Olympics were heard on the beach every day. Alejo Muniz (BRA), gold medalist in the Mens division, said: “I would love to see surfing in the Olympics. This event is a great way to demonstrate that we can do it. Our sport is practiced all over the world by over 20 million athletes. People enjoy watching surfing… This contest is a great step towards the inclusion. It’s wonderful to come h ere not only with the surfing team, but also with the full Brazilian Olympic team, including Beach Soccer or Volley. It’s great to be wearing this competition vest with the Olympic Rings is awesome!”

Analí Gómez, winner of the Womens division, commented: “I would l ove to see surfing in the Olympics. It is the highest aspiration for a surfer to go to the biggest sport events in the world”.

Final Results were:

Women
Gold: Analí Gómez (PER)
Silver: Camila Cassia (BRA)
Bronze: Gabriela Leite (BRA)

Men
Gold: Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Silver: Rafael Pereira (VEN)
Bronze: Leandro Usuna (ARG)

Aloha Cup – Tag Team
Gold: Brazil
Silver: Peru
Bronze: Argentina

Air Show
Gold: Gabriel Medina (BRA)
Silver: Matías Mulanovich (PER)
Bronze: Martín Passeri (ARG)

The second edition of the South American Beach Games will be held in the wave-rich city of Manta in Ecuador.