ANDREW CHISHOLM - FROM BELLEVILLE
TO THE INTERNATIONAL WASZP GAMES

After a packed 2025 Season Tyler Bjorn sat down with Andrew Chisholm to a get a clearer picture of this WASZP sailor's journey to achieving the top North American result at this year's biggest event…the International WASZP Games.

Here is the Andrew Chisholm Story

It starts like many sailing stories do, with a kid on the edge of something new. But for Andrew Chisholm, that edge quickly turned into liftoff, a journey marked by hard lessons, breakthroughs, and a growing sense of possibility.

Hooked From the Start

When Andrew moved to Belleville, Ontario at 14, sailing wasn’t exactly the dominant sport in town. But Opti coach Fede Donzino convinced him to try a WASZP at the 2021 Canadians in Toronto.

"I got on the boat, got foiling right away and I was like, damn, this is awesome. From there, I was hooked."

The freedom of singlehanded dinghy foiling with no crew logistics, no waiting for rides, just speed changed everything. Andrew no longer required catching trains to Toronto every weekend just to get on the water with his doublehanded partner. Now he could sail after school, on his time, his schedule.

It was more than dedication; it was obsession. Every hour on the water was an hour closer to mastering a sport that was demanding, unpredictable, and exhilarating.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

The next big shift came in Pensacola at a training camp alongside American Magic sailors and top Canadians aspiring to be on the AC40 Canadian Women's and Youth Team. Watching pros combine data, discipline, and daily grind opened Andrew’s eyes:

"It was the first time I saw the viability of professional sailing. Guys training on Moths, then heading out on AC boats, doing it as a job. That was eye-opening."

Suddenly, the dream got clearer. It wasn’t just about sailing fast anymore. It was about learning what it takes to reach the top and realizing the road was long, but navigable.

Hard Lessons, Harder Work

By 2022, Andrew was training in earnest, pushing through relentless on-water drills with local coach Andreas Steinitz and Sue Fraser of the Canadian Foiling Academy in Kingston. His commitment soon caught the attention of the growing WeCANFoil initiative, earning him a spot in the Chicago SailGP Inspire Program to test himself against North America’s best WASZP sailors.

But Chicago SailGP didn’t go as planned, and missing Gold Fleet stung.

"That was a big moment: you've got to work harder than you think."

He doubled down: 2023 WASZP Games in Australia, 2024 Hawaii events, European training blocks with DRYLaps alongside top names like Fede Brigamasco and Magnus Overbeck.

Each step brought speed, skill and humility. The competition was intensifying, but so was the camaraderie. North American sailors pushed each other harder with every session, driving everyone’s performance higher. Through programs like WeCANFoil and A1R, the rise of foiling in North America was unmistakable.

Building the Engine: Fitness & Psychology

Ontario Sailing connected Andrew to the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario HUB, giving him access to a trainer, nutritionist, sports psychologist, and the formation of a yearly training plan. For the first time, his sailing program looked like that of a true high-performance athlete.

"The sports psych was huge. Sailing throws things you can’t control. Getting mad doesn’t help. I learned to focus on what I can control and take the emotion out of it."

That mindset change showed on the racecourse. Fewer crashes, smarter recoveries, stronger finishes. Confidence grew. So did consistency.

Breakthrough Season: 2025

2025 proved to be Andrew Chisholm’s true breakout season. Building on lessons in structured training and block preparation, he expanded his network of training partners across Europe while sharpening his skills at the North American Championships, held at the same Pensacola venue set to host the 2026 Worlds.

The spring campaign leading into the Weymouth WASZP Games saw Andrew race four back-to-back regattas, consistently finishing on the podium or just outside it, while training alongside top sailors like Thomas Sitzmann.

By the time he arrived in Weymouth two weeks early, Andrew had left nothing to chance: the boat was rebuilt, every detail checked, the focus solely on performance.

That preparation paid off as he captured the U19 World Championship and finished fourth overall. Heading into the final day, Andrew was leading the event with several sailors close behind, making it clear he needed a flawless, mistake-free finish to secure the title.

He credited coaches Agustin Ferrario and Simone Ricci for keeping him balanced with speed tweaks, mental resets, and a steady stream of perspective.

After three days, Andrew learned they’d only completed 20% of the regatta, so he focused solely on consistent top-10 finishes, knowing that consistency wins events.

“One capsize in Gold Fleet and you’re 30th—staying calm was everything.”

Mentorship at the Top

Post-Weymouth, Andrew returned from the WASZP Games with a sharper focus on building a long-term professional sailing career. Riding the confidence and accolades from Weymouth 2025, he joined SailGP Canada’s NorthStar team in Germany for an actual SailGP event as a mentee, a perfect chance to deepen his learning and expand his network at the highest level of the sport.

"They’re professional to the minute. It taught me to make the absolute most of the days I do have on the water."

The opportunity reinforced his drive: there’s still a long road to the pro ranks, but the map is clearer than ever. Every day counts. Every session matters.

Looking Ahead

Now at Queen’s University studying engineering, Andrew splits time between WASZP training in Kingston, 49er reps with Canadian Olympian Will Jones, college sailing tryouts, and even wing foiling. His calendar is full, but his focus is sharp.

“I’m heading to the 2026 Games in Pensacola determined to build on my momentum from 2025. The competition will be tough, but I’m confident in my preparation and excited to race the best in a massive fleet. With a busy first year of university and the freezing Canadian winter, I won’t have the same prep time as 2025 but meeting those challenges is part of chasing a title. The 2026 Games will be tougher, but I thrive on big-fleet racing and the international friendships of the worldwide WASZP Swarm.”

The goal? Keep learning, keep pushing, and maybe surprise a few people along the way. With a growing North American training group and mentors opening doors, Andrew is part of a wave of young sailors redefining what’s possible.

Looking Forward

Professional sailing is clearly skewing younger across the board, and staying the course while being ready for the right opportunity is now essential for any aspiring athlete. Andrew knows this better than anyone after his WASZP Games success.

"Winning the U19 title and finishing fourth overall gave me the confidence that I can compete with the best," Andrew said. "It makes me excited for what’s next and pushes me to work even harder for the future."