Australian Sailing launches first-ever Para Wing Foil Camp – A game-changer for the future of Inclusive Sailing

Across the week, athletes took to the water with a mix of nerves, excitement, and sheer determination. For many, this was their first time ever stepping into the world of wing foiling, but by the end of the camp, that hesitancy had turned into confidence, adrenaline, and a sense of belonging in a sport that is exploding with potential. 

 

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As Sara Ross, World Sailing International Classifier, captured perfectly, “I’ve just got off the water. I’ve been out there watching Tara (second name to add) wing. We’re here in Sydney and it’s the first time that Australian Sailing has hosted Para wingers.  

“We all know how cool wingfoiling is, but I was out there watching them – they learned to foil and then they used the wings today. The ultimate goal is obviously to get Paralympic sailing back into the Games. Sailing hasn’t been in the Paralympics since Rio 2016, and the sailors have really missed it. It’s a shame not to have the pinnacle of the sport being the Paralympics, so it’ll be fantastic to get sailing back.  

“It’s created a lot of interest already here in Australia, and we’ve had athletes from a lot of different sports getting involved. It’s great to see so many people wanting to give it a go.” 

And that’s exactly what this camp proved: There is hunger. There is momentum. And there is a new generation ready to take wing foiling to the next level. 

Australian Sailing has tapped into something powerful – a discipline that blends athleticism, accessibility, creativity, and speed in a way no other Para discipline currently offers. Wingfoiling is modern, it’s dynamic, and it appeals to athletes from across adaptive sport who are looking for their next challenge. 

This camp was more than a training opportunity. It was the first step in building a national pathway for Para Wingfoiling, and the response has been overwhelming. From former Paralympians to complete newcomers, the appetite across Australia is growing fast and the international community is watching closely. 

As World Sailing continues developing the discipline through the Inclusive Development Programme, camps like this one show exactly why Para Wing Foiling is being talked about as the future of Para Inclusive sailing. The energy is real, the participation is increasing, and the discipline fits perfectly with the sport’s ambition to innovate, inspire, and widen access. 

The Sydney camp has set the tone – bold, exciting, ambitious. And if the enthusiasm from athletes and coaches is anything to go by, this is just the beginning of a movement that could reshape the global landscape of Para sailing. 

The future is lifting. And Australia is already riding the breeze.