Yes, 2022, a foiling year!

Australian Sailing has listened to clubs, coaches and sailors and have begun to develop FOILING programs, tailored specifically for delivery at your club. These Programs will soon begin to arrive at your clubs, enabling your members to experience these exciting classes in 2022 and beyond.

For the first step into foiling and at the start of the foiling pathway program, which Australian Sailing has developed, is the FOIL-LAB; a one-day introduction to first flight on the Foil, focussing on foiling fundamentals, safety and fun. Pilot testing has started, and we are happy to share that it has been a great success across the country, with the final product being very close to completion. By working with local coaches from foiling classes, Australian Sailing have delivered the first pilot sessions in Queensland, South Australia and last weekend in Tasmania. The next scheduled foil-Labs are in Victoria and NSW in the following weeks.

Great feedback has been collected from everyone involved in the program so far, including the sailors, club coaches and clubs, as well as from the Australian Sailing Regional managers. Feedback from all involved is taken into consideration to create the best possible introduction to foiling, and allow us to work with clubs to deliver and grow the sport.

Testimonials from the Regional Managers who hosted the Foil-Labs: 

Ben Callard (Queensland & NT):
“The Foil Labs provide a great opportunity to show case new and exciting disciplines of sailing to our sailing clubs and sailors.”
“The new and emerging foiling classes provide significant opportunities for clubs to increase membership and participation by attracting new individuals and also to retain current youth and young adult sailors who are looking for something different from the sport. Something that boarders on extreme sport with less financial commitment.” 
 
Ian Leeson (South Australia):
It's fantastic to see this opportunity for young south Australian sailors to engage with these exciting new classes and really helps to provide a simple pathway into all forms of foiling afloat, be that kite, wind, wing or sail.
Since the delivery of the SA Foil lab, 2 of the participants have gone on to seek out further foiling education and opportunity through learning to wingfoil and investigating Windfoil options in SA.
The Foil-labs really are the first step to exposing the south Australian clubs and community to the exciting world of foiling, and something I hope to see continue into the future as we develop more resources and support of these classes.
 
Chris Jones (Tasmania):
“Tasmania’s first FoilLab at Sandy Bay SC was a huge success, putting big smiles on all the participants faces. Numerous clubs around the state are considering how to accommodate the various emerging classes to better engage their youth members. The FoilLab is ideal for clubs to test the interest in foiling classes amongst their membership, allowing people to try before you buy. Following the FoilLab at SBSC, most participants have caught the bug and are really keen to pursue foiling classes. Plus, club coaches get the opportunity to build their skillset to deliver intro foiling sessions. We’re looking forward to running more around the state!”

Foiling is one of many ways in which to help grow the sport of sailing, by increasing and diversifying the offerings of clubs, growing participation options, and providing retention opportunity for members. The development of the Australian Sailing Foiling Program is proudly supported by the Queensland Government.

If you are interested in our foiling programs, please follow this link.

Or feel free to contact our AS Foiling Lead – Jose Fazio at Jose.fazio@sailing.org.au
 
Happy Foiling!