Countdown to the 8th Pan American Surfing Games

Interview conducted by Mirko Yuras

A few days before the start of the 8th Pan American Surfing Games, Iquique is preparing for one of the most highly respected and competitive surf festivals of the American continents.  If the waves perform as expected, then a true spectacle will take place in the breaks of Urracas and Punta 1.

A total of 16 selected teams will arrive in Iquique at the end of October in order to compete for their nation’s honor in a healthy competition.  Overall, the spirit of sport and camaraderie between different country’s participants will fill the air.
Cristian González, President of the Chilean Surfing Federation and the one responsible for the execution of the event in his city of Iquique, conversed at length with his friend Mirko Yuras.  This was published on www.panamericanosurf.com, the official website of the event.
Below you will find the response of Sr. González.

Today, when only a few weeks remain before the tournament, what are the expectations?
I believe that the expectations that we have as an organization will be surpassed, because if you think back to the last Pan American games there were 14 delegations and we have already confirmed 16, which are: Barbados, Brasil, Canadá, Chile, Costa rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guadalupe, Guatemala, Jamaica, Panamá, Perú, República Dominicana, Uruguay and Venezuela.  On top of this, México, Bahamas and Aruba will confirm their attendance in the next couple of days.
All of the nations’ teams are comprised of professionals.  This will ensure a great competition.

What does the high attendance level mean to you?
Since the moment that Chile was chosen for this tournament and after Iquique was chosen, we had two objectives.  First, we want it to be the best competition in the history of the Pan American Surfing Games.  And second, given the high level we have achieved and the work we have done over the past few years, we want the Chilean selection to place among the top three.  As locals, it is important that we represent Chile with a complete, quality team.

How has the private and institutional support been?
I want to say clearly that this tournament is being carried out thanks to the support of the Ilustre Municipalidad of Iquique.  Without their support it would not be possible.  With the exception of Thermoskin, Zofri and Hertz, which have been participating actively as sponsors, the private companies and large Chilean surf brands have not stepped forward.   The participation of the local company Ruks, however, is setting an important example.  They will have the honor of dressing the national team.

There are 16 teams… but what is the number of athletes that will participate in the contest?
You must multiply each team by 20, which means in total there will be at least 300 competitors.  This is important for our organization to know because it will allow us to develop and organize the tournament in a professional manner for the high level of competitors that will be in attendance.  We have been working actively with the surf, land and with yoga.

How will you arrange the space?
We will organize the countries into three groups in order to utilize the canopies that are in the new park.  And all the tents will be guarded by rifled men and civil safety.  Also we will be collaborating with the Armada in terms of security.

How is the regional government participating?
We were hoping that the funds would be provided by the regional government.  Sadly the lack of funds has prevented the Chilean surfers from receiving the necessary comforts of travel and from being better prepared for this championship.

When will the complete Chilean team be in Iquique?
The last of the selected will arrive on the 25th, but the qualifying stops that form part of the national selection have been going on since the 20th.

What is the call to the citizens?
It is important that throughout the competition the community shows up to the beach to support their national team.  This is a crucial event that is worth people’s attendance and support, especially since we have a real chance of landing in the top three spots of the continent’s championship.

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