First African training camp held in Hammamet, Tunisia, ahead of 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Supported by the IOC Athlete Development Fund, World Sailing partnered with the Fédération Tunisienne de Voile to deliver the camp at the Eya Guezguez National Elite Centre, with the backing of Federation President Anis Jaffal.

Tahe Outdoors and the Techno293 Class generously provided equipment and expert coaching from three-time Olympian Patrik Pollak and 2014 Youth Olympic Games bronze medalist and former Techno293 world champion Lucie Pianazza. They focused on equipment setup and skill development, with ongoing support planned ahead of the next camp on 18–23 November.

The first step in this journey took place last week in Hammamet, Tunisia, where 10 young sailors and seven coaches from six countries – Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Senegal, and Egypt – came together for the very first African training camp. The initiative was made possible with the generous support of Tahe Outdoors, who provided the equipment for the week. Training sessions covered rigging, board handling, and technique refinement, with daily video debriefs. Strong winds in the final days limited on-water practice.

Techno293 President Benoit Tregiully also attended to support sailors and coaches, sharing his insight as the original designer of the Techno293 board.

Each evening, the sailors gathered for debrief sessions where the day’s videos were reviewed together. This reinforced technical lessons and gave all participants the chance to reflect on their progress. The week concluded with strong cohesion in the group, mutual encouragement, and clear steps forward in both skill and confidence.

Fiona Kidd, World Sailing’s Head of International Development, said, “The first Youth Olympic Games Training Camp in Tunisia marks a significant step forward in our efforts to strengthen sailing development across Africa in the lead-up to Dakar 2026. Through collaboration with our partners and the dedication of local federations such as the Fédération Tunisienne de Voile, we are helping to build the foundations for long-term growth. The enthusiasm and progress demonstrated by the sailors and coaches during the training camp  highlight the tremendous potential within the region and the positive impact of targeted development initiatives.”

Adjlia Hamza, coach of the Algerian team, summed it up, adding, “This week was really very useful for the racers, even if the wind was a little too strong at the end of the course, especially for our girl who had trouble handling the 7.8m² rig. They learned a lot thanks to the very good advice and monitoring of Lucie and Patrik on the water and in the evening with the videos. The young riders also gained a lot of confidence in themselves with the contact with other competitors on the water and on land. They leave Hammamet with the strong desire to sail and progress to reach the level for participation at the Youth Olympic Games.”

With just over a year until the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, the International Olympic Committee, World Sailing, and the International Techno293 Class are committed to developing windsurfing and sailing across the African continent – supporting emerging talent and helping athletes compete at the highest level.

A key part of this effort is to raise the level of new talent in African countries that already have access to windsurfing, helping them prepare to compete at the highest level. Three further training camps are planned across Africa in the coming months, ensuring that the momentum continues right through to the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, taking place from 5-12 November 2026.

Additional text and images courtesy of Tahe Outdoors France.