The president of the International Surfing Association (ISA), Fernando Aguerre, distanced himself from the measures taken at the Pan American Surfing Championships taking place in Punta Rocas, Peru, which have caused great controversy among fans and various federations in the Americas.

“The decisions were made by the organizers without prior authorization from the ISA,” Aguerre told DUKE and added: “The ISA found out the next day, when everything was already a fait accompli and we could do nothing to stop the clock, as a result we agreed to surf those two heats on Friday,” he explained, referring to the fact that there were two round 1 heats, 9 and 15, which were separated and surfed a day after the rest of round 1.

According to what the tournament's technical director, Gaetano "Nino" Lauro, had told DUKE, this decision was made because it had been previously communicated that all athletes from all disciplines would be expected. There were two surfers who did not arrive on time because they were in Hawaii: Alonso Correa from Peru and Carlos Muñoz from Costa Rica.

The first one decided to turn back and arrived on time for his match today and the second one competed at Sunset and was not present today.

Prior to the series, the lawyer for the Costa Rican surfing federation, Walter Brenes, issued an email urging the ISA and PASA to suspend the competition until Muñoz arrives, otherwise he would take legal action.

Asked about this statement, President Aguerre declined to comment.

In the end, the heats went into the water around one o'clock this afternoon, Correa passed his in first place and Carlos Muñoz did not show up.

DUKE is currently trying to contact the president of PASA, Karín Sierralta, to explain her position on this issue.