New Masters Group Announced
WASZP North America Announces Launch of New Masters Group Ahead of Pensacola 2026 Games
November 2025 — Annapolis, MD
The WASZP Class is proud to announce the official launch of its WASZP North America Masters Group, a new initiative designed to support and connect sailors ages 30–49 who are embracing high-performance foiling later in life or returning to the sport with renewed passion. This group marks a major milestone in the Class’s ongoing commitment to providing lifelong foiling pathways and strengthening participation across all age categories.
With foiling quickly becoming the most exciting discipline in sailing, the WASZP Class continues to broaden access, training, and community support for sailors at every level from youth and collegiate sailors to adult and masters competitors. The WASZP Masters Group will serve as a dedicated hub for collaboration, training coordination, shared learning, fitness preparation, and regatta planning for this rapidly growing segment of our fleet.
“As the Class scales toward Pensacola 2026, we’re seeing tremendous momentum across all age groups — including a surge in participation from sailors in their 30s and 40s looking to experience the thrill of foiling in a competitive one-design format,” said Nicholas Draper, North American WASZP distributor through FOILFAST. “The launch of the Masters Group reinforces our belief that foiling should be accessible and enjoyable at every stage of life, and that the WASZP is uniquely positioned to provide that pathway.”
The Masters Group will be led in 2026 by WASZP sailor Sam Blouin, who will help coordinate communication, training opportunities, and event participation for Masters competitors in North America and abroad. Blouin’s leadership reflects the Class’s commitment to peer-driven development and community building, creating an environment where sailors learn from one another and progress together.
“I’m thrilled to help support the Masters community as it grows,” said Blouin. “Many of us are balancing careers, families, and sailing, and the WASZP platform offers an incredible opportunity to stay active in the sport, compete at a high level, and be part of a dynamic and welcoming fleet. This group will make it easier for Masters sailors to connect, share knowledge, and prepare for a fantastic season leading into the Games.”
The launch of the Masters Group is part of the Class’s larger initiative to expand structured pathways for Youth, U21, Collegiate, Core, and Masters sailors ahead of the 2026 WASZP Games in Pensacola, which is expected to be one of the largest foiling regattas in North American history. Masters participation at regional championships, training camps, and marquee WASZP events has already risen sharply, underscoring growing enthusiasm for competitive foiling among adult sailors.
The new Masters WhatsApp group is now live, and Masters sailors interested in joining can request access via the official WASZP communication channels or contact FOILFAST for details.
Key 2026 Dates
Winter Base & Midwinters - January and February will see the Class in Jensen Beach as our Winter Base. Come down after Christmas and leave your boat on site for a heavily discounted rate and fly down for a few weekends and sail with Rick Wood in the sunshine to prepare for the WASZP Games. Midwinters will be January 17-19. More information here.
WASZP Games 2026 - It is a huge win for the North American Class to host the WASZP Games in our own backyard in Pensacola this year. Pre-Games starts March 18th and the Games starts on the 24th. Charter boats available as well as a 'ship from Jensen Beach' option that the Class will be coordinating. Come and join the largest foiling dinghy event in North America.
East Coast Spring - Leave your boats on the east coast and coordinate shipping to hit the best parties of the year at the Helly Hansen Sailing World event in Annapolis (May 1-3), the ACCs in Toms River (June 5-7), Canadians and North Americans in Halifax (June26-July 5) and then Americas on Buzzards Bay (August 6-8).
West Coast Fall - We will then shift to British Columbia (Sep 4-6), US Nationals in Hawaii (Nov 27-29) and a series of events up and down the coast.
About the WASZP Class
The WASZP Class exists to make high-performance dinghy foiling accessible, competitive, and fun for sailors of all ages and backgrounds. Since launching in 2016, the WASZP has become the world’s most successful one-design foiling dinghy, with rapidly expanding participation, professional-level global events, and a connected, supportive international community.
Media Contact
FOILFAST – North American WASZP Distribution
Press & Media Inquiries: info@foilfast.com
Website: www.foilfast.com
Instagram: @foilfast_na