Foiling Week flocks to Pensacola with high-speed racing and community events
by Foiling Week 25 Feb 08:02 NZDT
February 24 - March 2, 2025
Foiling Week © Martina Orsini / Foiling Week
The world-renowned Foiling Week is set to make a splash for the first time in Pensacola, Florida in an exciting expansion following 11 successful editions in Lake Garda, Italy.
Running February 24 - March 2, the event is the first and only global event of its kind dedicated to a range of foiling boats and boards, bringing together athletes, designers, and manufacturers from across the globe.
Founded on a love for all things foiling, Foiling Week offers a true festival experience open to anyone from complete beginners to world champions and professionals and all skill levels in between. In just a few days' time, Pensacola Bay and Beach will be filled with the thrilling sights of flying sailboats and boards with an impressive lineup of 14 classes across multiple race courses. And the festivities continue ashore with social events, a film festival, a Race Village, Pensacola's annual Mardi Gras celebrations, and more to highlight innovation, competition, and community engagement.
"We're thrilled to bring Foiling Week to the city of Pensacola," said Luca Rizzotti, founder of Foiling Week. "Pensacola has wonderful foiling conditions with flat water, consistent breeze, and a variety of bay and ocean settings. With the addition of a beach venue, we're able to invite foil boards for surf and swell competitions and add an exciting dynamic to an already epic lineup. Year one here is shaping up to be a strong opener, and we're looking forward to continuing our work with local stakeholders to develop Pensacola as a home for sailors."
"We're honored to host Foiling Week on our home waters and welcome an internationally revered event to the Gulf," said Alan McMillan, Commodore of the Gulf Yachting Association. "The GYA, representing 39 clubs from Florida to Texas, proudly supports Foiling Week's debut in the panhandle and in years to come as we encourage the growth of foiling in the US."
On water events
Throughout the week, athletes will take the starting line in 14 classes: Formula Kite, Moth, Waszp, iFly, A-Class, BirdyFish, WingFoil, and the FoilFlex category. Racing will feature some of the best athletes in the world, including Olympians Riley Gibbs and Bronze Medalist, Lucas Calabrese, Youth America's Cup athletes Harry Melges, Ben Rosenberg, and Ripley Shelley, and 2x World Champion Ravi Parent.
Boat athletes can register for racing at foilingweek.com, and all board athletes are welcome to register here.
Those looking to take their speed bracket to the next level are invited to sign up for clinics led by Olympic Coach Omer Brand and US Sailing's Phil Muller, and various boat and board trials on new equipment.
- Wing Foil Clinic: Wednesday Feb 26th, Key Sailing - register here
- Boat Trials: Pensacola Yacht Club - register here
- BirdyFish: Monday Feb 24 - Tuesday Feb 25th - FREE
- F101: Monday Feb 24th - Friday Feb 28th - FREE
- iFly: Monday Feb 24th - Wednesday Feb 26th - $150/1.5 hours, $300/half day (3 hours), $500/full day (but free Wednesday Feb 26 12pm-4pm)
- Switch: Monday Feb 24th - Sunday March 2nd - FREE
- Board Trials: Key Sailing - register here
- Lift (EFoil): Wednesday Feb 26th
- F-One: Wednesday Feb 26th
- Foil Surf Racing League Trials: Hilton Pensacola Beach - register here
Land Events
Tuesday, February 25: The Satori Foundation, Foiling Week's official charity, will host the Dixon School of the Arts and Sciences at Pensacola Yacht Club to showcase sailing and foiling and provide a memorable experience for local students.
Wednesday, February 26: Open to event partners and foiling leaders across the US and Europe, Foiling Week will host an Industry Symposium, featuring names like American Magic's Terry Hutchinson and Persico's Mark Sommerville. Following the symposium, Pensacola Beach Yacht Club will host a Welcome Party with live music, food and drink, games, great atmosphere, and beautiful views.
Thursday, February 27: Pensacola's local Special Olympics group will be on site at 9am at the Hilton Pensacola Beach to get athletes on the water alongside Foiling Week competitors with foam boards. Then in the evening, the well-loved Foiling Film Festival will feature seven films by filmmakers worldwide at Seville Quarter, including Luke Kaneb for 11th Hour, Dane Wilson of Salty Brother, and Borja Cantera for SailGP. Attendees will be treated to a free welcome drink and a delicious southern buffet for $15 per person.
Friday, February 28: Foiling Week will host a Beach Clean Up out of the Hilton Hotel starting at 9:30am to support the commitment to sustainability, reduce pollution in the area, and give back to the city that's home to Foiling Week.
Saturday, March 1: Waterboyz is hosting Foiling Week participants after racing on Saturday at their surf shop, skate park, and cafe. Participants are invited to stop by for drinks, panel discussions, and open skate.
Saturday and Sunday, March 1st and 2nd: From 10am to 5:30pm, Community Maritime Park will be decked out in a full "Race Village" experience featuring food and drink trucks, vendors, race commentary, live entertainment, art installments, Foiling Week merchandise, and more. And for spectators looking for racing's best view in town, VIP Cruises will depart from the ferry terminal at 1:30pm and offer guests live expert commentary, a cash bar, and complimentary light snacks as athletes fly by just meters from the boat.