PanamSports President Neven Ilic, the highest Pan American sports authority, confirmed in a press conference with local journalists that surfing in Santiago 2023 will finally take place in Pichilemu.

Ilic said the decision to host the event was a response to requests from local surfers and the International Surfing Federation.

There was controversy after Manuel Selman said that holding the event in Reñaca would be like playing the World Cup on a “football field.”

"Chile has the best waves in the world: El Gringo in Arica and the southern points, like Pichilemu. Reñaca is one of the worst waves in the world," said the surfer, who later apologized.

ISA had informed DUKE that the final decision would be made in July, after a technical delegation visits the country.

It is presumed that it will now be determined on which beach it will take place: La Puntilla, Infiernillo or Punta de Lobos.

The Pan American Games, the second largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympic Games, will be held in Chile between Friday, October 20 and Sunday, November 5.

The qualification process for the event's surfing competition has not yet been announced, but it is known that the event will determine two surfers who will travel to Paris 2024.