Cover photo: ISA/Rommel González 

The inclusion of the Central American and Caribbean and South American Games, and the maximum quota per gender and country for one surfer with the exception of four possible results that could take two, are the main novelties of the qualification to Lima 2027 that will grant one male and female place to Los Angeles 2027.

The classification criteria were released today by PASA in a press release and indicate the classification mechanism by division:

“Shortboard Athletes

- 16 female
- 16 male

One (1) athlete per gender, per country. A second athlete per gender, per country, could be added through medal quota qualification.

Access distribution:

- The 4 best athletes in the region's ranking at the 2027 ISA World Surfing Games (if this competition is not held before Lima 2027, the results of the 2026 ISA WSG will be considered)
- 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

Medal quota:
This category also includes those who receive a medal quota. This space is reserved for medal winners at the PASA Games. The order of priority for obtaining these medals is as follows:

- Gold Medal Shortboard at PASA Games 2027
- Gold Medal Shortboard at PASA Games 2026
- Silver Medal Shortboard at PASA Games 2027
- Shortboard Bronze Medals at PASA Games 2027 (in case of no Man to Man rounds at PASA Games 2027, the benefit will be awarded to the Bronze medal winner and the Copper medal winner).

In other words, if a surfer from country X becomes champion of the PASA Games 2027 and another surfer from that country X places fourth in the PASA Games 2027, then two surfers from the same country will be there.

For the rest of the divisions:

Longboard athletes

- 9 female
- 9 male

* Maximum one (1) athlete per gender, per country

Access distribution:

- 3 best athletes in the region's ranking at the 2027 ISA World Longboard Championship (if this competition is not held before Lima 2027, the results of the 2026 ISA WLC will be considered)
- 4 athletes for the Pan American Surfing Games 2027
- 1 athlete for the Pan American Surfing Games 2026
- 1 athlete from the host country

SUP Surf Athletes

- 9 female
- 9 male

* Maximum 01 athlete per gender, per country

Access distribution:

- 3 best athletes in the region's ranking at the ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship 2027 (if this competition is not held before Lima 2027, the results of the ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship 2026 will be considered)
- 4 athletes for the Pan American Surfing Games PASA 2027
- 1 athlete per Pan American Surfing Games PASA 2026
- 1 athlete from the host country

SUP Race Athletes

- 10 female
- 10 male

* Maximum 01 athlete per gender, per country

Access distribution:

- 3 best athletes in the region's ranking at the ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship 2027 (if this competition is not held before Lima 2027, the results of the ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship 2026 will be considered)
- 4 athletes for the Pan American Surfing Games PASA 2027
- 1 athlete per Pan American Surfing Games PASA 2026
- 1 athlete per South American Games Santa Fe 2026
- 1 athlete from the host country

The inclusion of bodyboarding remains uncertain. The statement reads: “The inclusion of the Bodyboard category has been requested by the organizing committee, acting on a request from the Olympic committees of the various participating nations. Should it be confirmed, we will provide timely updates regarding its inclusion.”