We’re not slowing down! – second training camp in Tangier accelerates African Youth Olympic preparation

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Sailing continue their commitment to boosting windsurfing and sailing on the African continent, where access to equipment and international opportunities has historically been limited. To support the development of emerging talents, a programme of four high-level training camps has been launched for 2025 and 2026.

The Tangier camp was led by two experienced international coaches from France and Slovakia, supported by the Techno293 Class, who worked in close collaboration with national coaches from each participating country. Tangier Bay delivered light to moderate wind conditions—ideal for helping young sailors progress their technical skills and confidence on the water. Daily on-shore and on-water sessions contributed to significant improvements in sailing fundamentals, race technique, and competition readiness.

Each sailor will receive a Techno293 board supplied by Tahe Outdoor Sports to continue their training at home, enabling regular on-water training and continued development.. Techno293 Class President Benoit Tregiully attended the camp to support operations and oversee equipment distribution.

Across the first two camps, seven nations have taken part: Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, and the newest participant, Madagascar. The initiative aims to strengthen youth windsurfing talent in the lead-up to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

This week’s camp brings together athletes from Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt, joined for the first time by competitors from Madagascar. Tangier Bay offers excellent conditions, with light to medium winds and flat water forecast through Sunday — pwhich are ideal conditions for young riders to make rapid progress in both technique and regatta tactics.

Nuno Reis, President of the Prow Group, played a key role in planning and delivering the training camp. His experience hosting major regattas in Tangier —including the 2023 U21 ILCA World Championships and the upcoming 2026 Optimist World Championships—helped ensure smooth execution.

Fiona Kidd, World Sailing’s Head of International Development, emphasised the broader impact of the initiative as Dakar approaches: “These training camps are transformational for young athletes and their national federations. By providing high-quality coaching, equipment, and structured development, we are ensuring that sailors have a genuine pathway to the Youth Olympic Games. The progress we are seeing demonstrates how powerful these opportunities can be in unlocking potential ahead of Dakar 2026.”

The road to Dakar is underway — and the momentum is growing. Two additional camps are scheduled for 2026 as part of the ongoing regional development programme.

Text and images courtesy of Techno293.