Special coverage presented by PASHA, APS, Pandeportes,Panama Tourism Authority y Visit Panama

The presence of the legendary Mike Stewart in Venao for the Pan American Surfing Championship caught the attention of more than one person, and the reason was quickly revealed in the speech of the president of the Pan American Games: He wants to help bodyboarding be included in Lima 2027, but above all, in the Olympic Games.

For Stewart, the path should have been taken together by all divisions of surfing, and it should be thought of that way.

“We’re starting the process, we’re going to start the process. Those of us who ride waves are a community; it’s about SUP, longboards, shortboards, bodyboards, bodysurfing—all these different disciplines that I hope we’ll move forward together. I think if they had invited bodyboarding and not the rest, I would tell them to wait for my brothers and sisters to come with me. So we’ll all go together, you know? With a little luck, in a perfect world,” he says in an interview with DUKE.

He adds: “I’m here representing and starting the process, whatever the right process may be, to create the Olympic path. Who knows how long it might take, but we have to start at some point, and we’re starting now. Hopefully soon, but if not, whenever it has to happen.”

“I think it would help tremendously for the young people coming up in some of these places, and for the sport in general in various locations. It's a big deal for many people, and as many know, this activity is very healthy. It helps keep people away from bad habits and things that can go in a negative direction. And if there's an opportunity for us to take it in a positive direction, and for the sport, and bodyboarding and surfing (that's the direction), this is the opportunity to really unite everyone, bring them together, and move forward as a community,” he concludes on this topic as part of a long interview in which several subjects were covered.