Countdown on for Scottish Fin & Foil Championships 2024
The Scottish Fin & Foil Championships are fast approaching, with plenty in store for windsurfers and wingfoilers of all ages and ability on the wonderful waters of Loch Ryan in Stranraer.
After joining in the fun last year, we're pleased to see 2024 shaping up to be another success. And, with the general format remaining similar to 2023, you can check out our YouTube video for a glimpse into the action, and a taste of what to expect again this time round.
Set to run from Wednesday the 7th of August through to Sunday the 11th, the first two days will see coaching from top coaches covering a wide range of classes and rider abilities.
The final three days will be made up of racing across two courses – one for fins and one for foils.
(Image - Foivos Tsoupras / X-15 Class)
There is however one particularly exciting addition to this year’s event, with the introduction of a brand-new X-15 wing foiling class for u19’s for the first time in the UK.
The X-15 class aims to offer the world’s first one-design wing racing equipment, developed to boost equal opportunity for all participants, forming a new wave on the wingfoil race scene.
Nick Goodchild is Fin & Foil’s wingfoiling lead. He said:
“We are excited to be hosting the first X-15 event in the UK in Stranraer.
“Having just been to a similar event in Kiel Germany, I saw first hand how junior and youth wingfoilers can benefit from a 5 days of top level coaching and racing alongside fifteen of their friends.
“We expect Stranraer will be the start of a series of X-15 events in the UK as well as an opportunity to build a community and pathway for young wingfoilers here.
“Thanks to Starboard for choosing our event to debut X-15 in the UK and providing the equipment and Saskia Sills as the coach.”
Read more about the X-15 offering for U19’s at Scottish Fin & Foil, and signup now.
And of course, it’s not just about the X-15 wingfoiling – the event in Stranraer also offers a mixture of windsurf training camps, taster sessions, racing, and evening entertainment.
Building on the success of last year, organisers at Scottish Fin & Foil have joined the UK circuit with the UK Windsurfing Association, helping shine the light on the stunning Loch Ryan in Stranraer as a top notch venue.
Hannah Logan from Stranraer Watersports Association said:
“Stranraer is fantastic for watersports, the loch is absolutely ideal. It's flat, it's quite well sheltered, we've got plenty of infrastructure around the place.”
Coining Stranraer as one to watch in terms of venues of the future, the quality of the water in terms of access, depth, and stretch, organisers say Stranraer is a great spot for an event with as many different disciplines on the go.
And, with the aim of putting Scotland on the map in terms of UK windsurfing and wingfoiling, it’s certainly an exciting time to get involved.
Fancy taking part in the action? Read more on the Fin & Foil website now.