In the Nations Challenge, Colombia and Panama had an early exit, while the USA defeated Inca and then Venezuela to meet finalists Mexico, who had taken care of Costa Rica and the Caribbean. To the delight of the crowd, Puerto Escondido locals Raol Noyola and Eric Ramirez unexpectedly defeated the USA, taking home $400 and a bunch of Mexican pride.

 The two event buses arrived at the town of Jaco after an eighteen-hour ride, filled with surfers, boards and bags. The Billabong Pro Costa Rica runs March 23-25 at Playa Hermosa/Jaco, a small surf-based tourist town that houses most of the competitors.

Results of the Billabong Pro Panama Mens

1st Tom Curren USA $4,000
2nd Magnum Martinez VEN $2,000
3RD Matt Keenan USA $1,500
4th Cam Anderson USA $1,300
5th Phillip Watters USA $1,000
5th Frank Walsh USA $1,000
7th Mike Hoisington USA $800
7th MJ Marsh USA $800

Results of the Billabong Pro Panama Womens

1st Keala Kennelly HAW $2,000
2nd Julia Christian USA $900
3RD Kelly Hutchinson USA $600
4th Claire Karabatsos FRA $500
5th Siri Cota USA $300
5th Lila Aizpurua VEN $300
7th Lisbeth Vindez CR $200
7th Nathacha Rodriguez VEN $200