Lima, Aug. 3 -- Brazil's Lena Guimaraes risked it all on the last wave and it paid off when she won gold in paddleboard on Friday at the Pan American Games, where surfing is making its debut as a sport.

The victory was a huge feat for the Brazilian, who beat International Surfing Association world champion Candice Appleby of the United States. Puerto Rico's Mariecarmen Rivera took silver.

Appleby dominated most of the 5-kilometer (3-mile) distance race that zig-zagged through the main surf break at Punta Rocas beach. But she lost the heavy break shore finish when she was tumbled by a steep inside wave.

"I had a great race. I led from the start and almost to the finish but I got caught by one of those sets inside the shore break and the...