Setting sail for success, Pensacola welcomes “Foiling Week” to American waters

by We Are Foiling 3 May 2024 09:35 PDT February 24 - March 2, 2025

Pensacola is set to make waves in the world of hydro foiling as it prepares to host the first Foiling Week Pensacola, a seven-day celebration of the future of watercraft mobility.

This international sailing event, held in Europe since 2014 in Malcesine, on Italian Lake Garda, will make its debut in Pensacola from February 24 to March 2, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the maritime community.

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said: "Hosting such a prestigious international event underscores Pensacola's growing reputation as a hub for maritime innovation and our commitment to fostering a vibrant and welcoming community. We are honored to showcase our city's natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality to visitors from around the world."

Timothy Ryschon, President of Sail Pensacola, Inc., has been working closely with Luca Rizzotti, President and Founder of the We Are Foiling ecosystem of events that created and produces Foiling Week, to secure funding, organize and stage this event next year and establish Pensacola as the North American continental home of the Foiling Week.

"Foiling Week Pensacola is the culmination of Sail Pensacola's first year of work and will bring a whole new international appreciation of our town as a vacation option. The event is set on a four-year minimum cycle and will dramatically accelerate our goals by generating new interest in sailing, demonstrating diversity in the sport, showcasing the Pensacola Bay for racing events, increasing adoption of foiling technology in the U.S., and bringing industry attention to Pensacola as "the" epicenter for future high-performance marine design and manufacturing.", recently declared Ryschon.

Hydro foiling, propelled by underwater wings that lift boats above the water's surface - today universally referred to as "Foiling" - represents a groundbreaking advancement in marine technology. In fact, this new global approach to navigation not only enhances speed and performance but also reduces energy consumption, aligning with Pensacola's commitment to sustainability and conservation, confirms producer Luca Rizzotti: "Foiling isn't only about the excitement of competition, it is a symbol of innovation that leads to progress in marine transportation, ecological undertakings, and our delightful and very strong bond with the sea".

Foiling Week Pensacola promises an electrifying lineup of activities, including multiple racing classes on Pensacola Bay such as WASZP and International Moth Class, captivating on-water demonstrations featuring cutting-edge foiling boats and boards.

"Foiling Week has always been a crowd favorite on the WASZP calendar so we are buzzing to go to Pensacola! The American swarm is growing quickly, and sailors are excited to welcome the famous Foiling Week experience to Pensacola. We're lining the occasion up with WASZP major championships and can't wait to see the event explode!" said Martin Evans, WASZP Class Manager.

"The US Moth Class is excited to be part of Foiling Week Pensacola. We expect the event to become a mainstay of high-performance sailing in the US and will run the 2025 Moth Nationals as a part of FWP to help bolster its first edition." confirmed Richard Didham, US International Moth Class President.

iQFOiL Class Manager Gonzalo Costa Hoevel had the opportunity to state: "The iQ Windsurfing Class is excited to support the Foiling Week Pensacola, which for the first time is being held in the USA. This event is set to gather a significant number of sailors in the region. We believe this will not only promote the sport of foiling but also provide an excellent platform for sailors to come together, learn, and compete in the iQFOiL Class. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact it will have on the American windsurfing community."

Foiling Week Pensacola will be the occasion to set a Foiling Trade Show dedicated to consumers, showcasing the latest in nautical hi-tech gadgets and apparel. Attendees will also have the opportunity to look forward to a Foiling Film Festival, to a dynamic symposium exploring foiling applications, and live music entertainment from Community Maritime Park.

Foiling Week Pensacola hopes to captivate audiences of all ages and backgrounds, inviting both seasoned sailors and curious spectators to experience the thrill of Foiling firsthand.

A full section of the Foiling Week website is being designed to offer information on the Pensacola event and will soon be on air.

The eleventh edition of the Foiling Week Malcesine will take place in Europe from 24 to 30 June 2024 at the "Fraglia Vela Malcesine" on Lake Garda in Italy, registration will open within the next two weeks.