Pan-American surfing with Olympic consequences has been the seed for one of the most exciting and disputed tournaments in the history of the region. Qualification for Lima 2019 translates into incentives from governments, more funds dedicated to the federations and for this reason, every dispute that took place off the court in Punta Rocas was very fierce.

Although it had been announced among the directors, today it was noted that there were two series, those of Alonso Correa and Carlos Muñoz, that were not held because the surfers had to compete in the World Cup of Surfing that is currently taking place in Sunset.

The Peruvian opted to abandon his Hawaiian campaign, while the Costa Rican did not. Given this situation, Costa Rica brought in another surfer, Jair Pérez, who was not allowed to compete because he had not been registered as a substitute in a timely manner.

This situation clearly affected Costa Rica's hope of achieving the top 2 by team category and for the overall team category because it will have a zero between the opens.

In an interview with DUKE, the tournament's technical director, Gaetano "Nino" Lauro, explained what happened and why it happened. Here's what he said:

Why were those two series not made?
Because we have waited for all the categories. We have waited for the SUP Race, the longboard, the SUP Surf. We have waited for the athletes who were competing outside to arrive. It is only fair that we also wait for the Open, who were two and they have tried to push them as far as possible and the furthest possible is Friday.

I wanted to run the entire Open category on Friday, but yesterday 15 countries submitted a request to me to run the Open today. So I ran it today, but left two heats so that everyone had the same chance.

Did everyone agree with that?
I don't know. We had told them that we would wait for them. If I could wait until Saturday I would, but I can't. The latest we could wait for them was until tomorrow.

What do you think about the difference that can be made for two athletes?
I have a clear conscience because Fernando Aguerre (president of the ISA) called an hour ago and said that what we have done is completely legal and that we cannot, under any circumstances, by order of the ISA, change that schedule.

Is anyone asking you for something else?
They were asking for it to be changed again and Fernando Aguerre has said that the decision taken by order of the ISA is unalterable. That's it.

Is this your responsibility?
No. I decided that because, as I told you, I tried to do my best to give everyone as much time as possible. We have pushed the championship and we have done some juggling.

Was any country dissatisfied?
Probably yes, but that is a decision of each person, it is not up to me. The Costa Rican decided not to come.

Why didn't they allow the person the Costa Ricans brought in as a replacement to compete?
According to ISA rules, you can choose an alternate as long as you have registered him. Until three o'clock in the afternoon on the day of the official registration. That would be on Saturday. However, I told both the Peruvian and Costa Ricans at the parade: "Listen, if you want to change, we'll make an exception. You have to tell me today after lunch."

After lunch, the Peru coach came to me and told me that they were not going to change Alonso Correa. The Costa Rica team manager did not come to me and then I don't remember if on Monday or Tuesday I wanted to make the change. It was too late and it was outside the rules.

When they wanted to put Jair in, after several days we had a meeting where Paula and everyone from PASA were present and I told them that according to the regulations it cannot be done, but if PASA or ISA orders it to be done, I am a worker.