Bodyboard is Now a Part of Iquique 2027

Iquique 2027 South American Beach Games - Municipality of Iquique

Bodyboard has officially been added to the program of the Iquique 2027 South American Beach Games, marking a major milestone for one of the most representative sports of the city’s coastal identity. What just days ago was still in progress has now become a reality for Iquique.

The decision was made on April 11 in Panama City, where the ODESUR Executive Committee approved its inclusion following a presentation led by Iquique’s mayor, Mauricio Soria, together with the Chilean Olympic Committee.

Reaching this point required weeks of coordination and effort. During that process, support letters were gathered from federations in countries such as Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Panama and Ecuador, all expressing their willingness to take part in the competition if the discipline was approved.

Throughout this process, the joint work between councilman Washington Santos and Iquique’s standout bodyboarder Viviana Araya played a key role. The current national champion took on an active role in connecting with international organizations, contributing from within the sport to a cause seeking recognition at a continental level.

“For me, this is very important, because bodyboard is part of our culture, part of our identity as a city,” Vivi said during the process, highlighting the significance of the discipline for Iquique.

The proposal also gained international strength through an interview conducted in Iquique with legendary bodyboarder Mike Stewart. This material was presented to representatives of Olympic Committees from different countries, reinforcing the global relevance of the discipline and its strong connection to local identity.

Widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the history of bodyboarding, Stewart highlighted the quality of Chile’s waves, the development of athletes in the region, and the cultural impact of the sport—not only as a competitive discipline, but also as a powerful tool for community growth.

All of these efforts, combined with the push from the city, led to the official inclusion of bodyboard in the event, which will take place from March 11 to 21, 2027.

Photo: Municipality of Iquique

Beyond the announcement, this marks a turning point. Not only does it expand the sports program of the South American Beach Games, but it also validates the place bodyboarding has built over the years in Iquique, where the ocean is not just a setting, but a core part of its identity.