Paloma Freyggang: The Strength of the Sea and the Resilience of a Champion

 The Chilean surfer from Iquique returns to the water after a severe injury, claiming second place at the 2025 Mar de Campeones Regional Championship in Iquique, Chile

In the world of surfing, waves are not always gentle. Some knock you down, others teach you lessons. And there are women who learn to rise again and again, stronger each time. One of them is Paloma Freyggang, a Chilean surfer based in Iquique, known for her energy, radical maneuvers, and a long career competing at both regional and international levels.

In August 2025, Paloma suffered a serious accident at “La Punta Dos ,” one of Iquique’s most powerful waves. A bad wipeout left her with rib injuries, forcing her to stay out of the water for several months.

For an athlete whose life revolves around the ocean, the setback was as emotional as it was physical. But true champions never quit. In September 2025, Paloma returned to the water to compete in the Iquique “Mar de Campeones” Regional Championship, proving that her spirit was stronger than pain.

Despite her recent recovery, she earned a second place finish, taking home the silver medal and the admiration of the entire surfing community. “Getting back into the water was more than just competing. It was healing. It was remembering why I love the sea” , Paloma has said.

Her comeback was celebrated with emotion and respect. Judges and fellow surfers highlighted her technical precision, fearlessness, and power qualities that have made Paloma a true icon of Chilean women’s surfing.

Paloma has built her legacy through perseverance, energy, and a warrior’s spirit. In 'Queen of the Wave', her story embodies the soul of the project: women who fall, rise, and keep chasing after their dreams no matter how many times the ocean knocks them down.

“In 'Queen of the Wave' we want to show that surfing isn’t just about winning , it’s about falling, standing up, and returning to the sea stronger than before. Paloma perfectly represents the passion that knows no limits” , Valentina Rozental, the director of 'Queen of the Wave' series has said.

Paloma Freyggang’s journey is a powerful reminder that it does not matter how many times or how hard you fall, and what matters is that you rise again. Because in surfing, as in life, the sea always gives you another chance to succeed. "At 'Queen of the Wave', we will continue following women like Paloma - the athletes who prove that true strength comes from the heart, and that every wave is another opportunity to start over" , Valentina Rozental has concluded.