Special coverage presented by PASHA, APS, Pandeportes y Visit Panama  -  Photo: Demarsan 

Although the 2026 Pan American Games in Playa Venao, which will take place between April 24 and May 3, has a direct quota for Lima 2027, there is an exception that could mean that whoever wins the gold will not qualify for the main event.

The following happens:

It is classified hierarchically through these events:

-4 top athletes in the region's ranking at the ISA World Surfing Games 2027
- 7 athletes for the Pan American Surfing Games 2027
- 1 athlete for the Pan American Surfing Games 2026
- 1 athlete per Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026
- 1 athlete per South American Games Santa Fe 2026
- 1 athlete per ALAS Global Tour ranking 2026
- 1 athlete from the host country

And, those who achieve the following results will secure two spots per country:
- Gold Medal Shortboard at PASA Games 2027
- Gold Medal Shortboard at PASA Games 2026
- Silver Medal Shortboard at PASA Games 2027
- Bronze Medals Shortboard at PASA Games 2027 (in case of no Man to Man rounds at PASA Games 2027, the benefit will be given to the Bronze medal winner and the Copper medal winner)

So, let's say, for example, that a surfer from Peru becomes champion in Venao, to give an example.

But then in the ISA World Championship, a Peruvian enters the top 4 eligible Pan-Americans.

And then a Peruvian wins the 2027 Pan American Games.

The Peruvian who won in 2026 would not qualify and would give way to the second place in this event.

The degree of certainty for its classification is high anyway, but its classification is not 100% confirmed.

Basically, it's expected that if a surfer from a less powerful country wins this year's Pan American Games, that surfer will qualify with a higher degree of certainty. The competition then becomes more internal to the country.

Now, if we talk about nations like Peru, Brazil, Argentina or the United States, the guarantees will not be very high because what was described in the previous paragraphs can happen.