WASZP CLASS LAUNCHES HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FOR 2026

Annapolis, MD – August 26, 2025 – The WASZP Class of North America, in partnership with FOILFAST, is proud to announce the launch of the inaugural WASZP High School and College National Championship Series for 2026. This series represents a landmark moment for foiling in the United States, bringing structured competition and a clear pathway for youth and collegiate sailors into one of the world’s fastest-growing one-design classes.

National Championships – One Big Weekend

The series will culminate in Tom’s River, New Jersey, where the High School and College WASZP National Championships will be raced on the same weekend:

May 30–31, 2026 – Hosted by Tom’s River Yacht Club

Tom’s River Yacht Club is one of the premier sailing venues on the East Coast, known for its strong junior and collegiate programs, steady breeze, and welcoming club culture. With open waters and reliable summer conditions, the venue is perfectly suited for foiling competition, and the WASZP Class is grateful to the club for their partnership and vision in hosting this groundbreaking event.

Pathway Through Regional Qualifiers

Sailors will qualify through four regional events beginning in January 2026, with the top three high school sailors and top three college sailors from each region advancing:

Region 1 – West Coast Qualifier – Jan. 31-Feb 1, 2026 – Coronado, CA

Region 2 – South Qualifier – Jan. 31-Feb 1, 2026 –  Jensen Beach, FL

Region 3 – Great Lakes Qualifier – Apr. 18–19, 2026 – Chicago, IL

Region 4 – Northeast Qualifier – Apr. 25–26, 2026 – Annapolis, MD

From these qualifiers, a fleet of 12 high school sailors and 12 college sailors will come together at Tom’s River to crown the first-ever WASZP High School and College National Champions.

Partnerships Driving Growth

This championship series builds on the momentum of strategic partnerships between the WASZP Class, WeCANFoil, and SailGP. Together, these organizations are creating a pathway for sailors that begins with accessible Learn-to-Foil clinics, continues through regional and national regattas, and extends into professional opportunities with the world’s most dynamic sailing leagues.

By racing the WASZP, sailors gain not only foiling skills but also exposure to the same cutting-edge formats that power SailGP and even influence the America’s Cup. The Class is proud to serve as the launchpad for the next generation of North American foilers.

Momentum Toward Pensacola 2026

The launch of this series comes at a pivotal time. 2025 was a breakout year for the North American WASZP Class, with sailors training across the continent and delivering standout results at the WASZP Games in Weymouth, UK. That momentum is now building toward March 2026, when the WASZP Games will be hosted for the first time in North America at Pensacola Yacht Club.

The new National Championships will serve as a stepping stone on this pathway, giving young sailors a chance to measure themselves against the best and prepare for international competition on home waters.

Jensen Beach: A Winter Base for Development

The Class is also investing in year-round development with the US Sailing Center of Jensen Beach, FL, designated as the official WASZP Winter Base. Sailors will train and compete there through January and February, with clinics, regattas, and Learn-to-Foil opportunities supported by WeCANFoil, Vakaros, and local partners. This foundation ensures that sailors are not only racing but also building skills to succeed at Nationals and beyond.

Expanding North: Canadian Championship Series in 2026

Looking ahead, the WASZP Class is excited to announce that a Canadian High School & College Championship Series will be unveiled this fall. The program will feature East Coast and West Coast qualifiers throughout 2026, culminating in a Canadian National Championship in fall 2026.

This expansion underscores the truly North American scope of the WASZP Class, offering young sailors from both the U.S. and Canada opportunities to foil, compete, and develop together on a pathway to international sailing success.

A Clear Path Forward

“This is a huge step forward for foiling in North America,” said Nicholas Draper, founder of FOILFAST and Class Secretary for WASZP North America. “By establishing these high school and collegiate championships, we’re creating a sustainable pipeline for young sailors to get into foiling, build their skills, and ultimately reach the top levels of the sport. These are the sailors who will power the future of professional foiling, from SailGP to the America’s Cup.”

Next Steps

We expect registration to open for these events in September with complete instructions on eligibility and charters to be included in the Notice Of Race.  Please make sure you are signed up for email updates from FOILFAST to follow the Class news and stay up to date.

 

NOTES & LINKS

To view the complete schedule, visit: https://racehub.waszp.com/events?region=Americas

To request a demo for your club or team, contact: Tyler Bjorn, North American Class Manager at tyler@waszp.com

To purchase a WASZP, find parts, register for an event, or inquire about dealer opportunities, visit www.foilfast.com

For more information on the SailGP Inspire Program and its initiatives, visit https://sailgp.com/general/purpose/better-sport.

 

About FOILFAST (Distributor)
FOILFAST is the exclusive North American distributor of the WASZP foiling dinghy and spare parts. Based in Annapolis, Maryland, FOILFAST is dedicated to expanding access to dinghy foiling across North America through event support, educational partnerships, and performance-driven community development. 

Learn more at www.foilfast.com 

About KA Sail (Manufacturer)
The WASZP was designed by Andrew “Amac” McDougall, a pioneering Australian sailor and naval architect with decades of experience in high-performance foiling. As the founder of KA Sail, McDougall has been a leading innovator in the foiling revolution, previously known for his performance Moth sails and rigs before launching the WASZP project. Frustrated by the high cost and complexity of foiling boats at the time, McDougall set out to design a single-handed, one-design foiler that would be fun, accessible, and built to last. The WASZP launched in 2016 to global acclaim, winning the Sailing World Boat of the Year and quickly establishing itself as the world’s leading entry-level foiling platform. With a growing international class, professional manufacturing, and strict one-design controls, KA Sail continues to manage and support WASZP production and global distribution from its headquarters in Melbourne, Australia.

For more information about KA Sail and the WASZP’s origin story, visit: https://waszp.com/about

About WeCANFoil (Supporter)
WeCANFoil is a Canadian-based initiative focused on making foiling accessible to sailors of all ages and skill levels across North America. Founded by passionate sailors and coaches, WeCANFoil blends cutting-edge equipment with expert instruction to introduce foiling in a safe, fun, and inclusive environment.  Through community outreach, sailing school partnerships, and hands-on coaching clinics, WeCANFoil has played a pivotal role in developing the next generation of foiling talent. By leveraging the WASZP as its primary training platform, the organization offers a clear and inspiring pathway from beginner foiling to high-level competition—including SailGP Inspire, Olympic development programs, and international racing opportunities.

For more information about WeCANFoil and its programs, visit: https://wecanfoil.org

About US Sailing (Supporter)
US Sailing is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the United States, recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and World Sailing. Headquartered in Bristol, Rhode Island, US Sailing’s mission is to increase sailing participation and excellence through education, competition, and athlete development. From grassroots programs and instructor certifications to Olympic training and international representation, US Sailing plays a vital role in shaping the future of American sailing. Through partnerships with innovative classes like the WASZP and youth-focused initiatives such as the Olympic Development Program (ODP) US Sailing is helping to modernize the sport and prepare young athletes to excel on the world stage.

To learn more about US Sailing’s programs and impact, visit: https://www.ussailing.org

About Vakaros (Technology Partner)
Vakaros is a technology company at the forefront of performance sailing innovation, known for developing advanced onboard electronics that help sailors of all levels make smarter decisions on the water. Headquartered in the United States, Vakaros combines cutting-edge sensors, precision GPS, and user-friendly interfaces in products like the Atlas and Atlas 2—widely adopted by elite foiling sailors, Olympic campaigners, and one-design racers around the world. Committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in high-performance sailing, Vakaros partners with leading classes such as the WASZP to deliver real-time data, performance tracking, and intuitive analytics. These tools not only elevate individual performance but also drive class-wide development by making training and racing more accessible, measurable, and competitive.

For more information about Vakaros and its products, visit: https://www.vakaros.com

About SailSync (Technology Partner)
SailSync.ai is a pioneering platform harnessing artificial intelligence to streamline communication, coordination, and logistics for sailing teams, coaches, and regatta organizers. Designed by sailors for sailors, SailSync.ai helps reduce administrative burden and increase operational efficiency by automating scheduling, signups, messaging, and performance tracking—all in one easy-to-use interface. Rapidly gaining adoption across North America, SailSync.ai is especially valuable to foiling classes and development teams, where fast-paced schedules and evolving training needs require seamless information flow. By supporting the WASZP Class and initiatives like America One Racing, SailSync.ai is playing a key role in empowering teams to focus less on logistics and more on performance.

To learn more about SailSync.ai and how it’s transforming team coordination in sailing, visit: https://www.sailsync.ai

About Zhik (Clothing Sponsor)
Zhik is a global leader in performance sailing apparel, renowned for its innovative, high-tech gear designed for the most demanding conditions on and off the water. Born from Olympic campaigns and tested at the highest levels of competitive sailing, Zhik products are trusted by elite athletes, weekend racers, and foiling enthusiasts around the world. With a focus on comfort, durability, and cutting-edge materials, Zhik has become the go-to brand for sailors pushing the limits of performance—including those in the fast-paced world of foiling. As an official supporter of the WASZP Class, Zhik continues to outfit sailors with the technical gear they need to train, race, and win—whether it's at youth qualifiers or world championship regattas.

For more about Zhik’s full line of sailing apparel, visit: https://www.zhik.com