New WASZP Rudder makes its North American debut at Foiling Week Pensacola
by Marc Ablett 27 Feb 08:01 PST
With Foiling Week Pensacola officially under way, excitement is buzzing as WASZP sailors get the first opportunity to test the newly designed rudder foil, introduced in late 2024.
The highly anticipated update is already being hailed as a game-changer by sailors and enthusiasts alike.
Returning to the U.S. in 2025, Foiling Week Pensacola promises an unforgettable showcase of high-performance sailing. With the largest fleet of the event, 40+ WASZP competitors from around the globe are battling it out for the North American Championship—making this the biggest WASZP fleet assembled in North America to date.
Competitors from around the world have rolled into town, preparing for a thrilling week of racing starting Thursday. However, the standout feature this year is undoubtedly the new rudder foil, which has been making waves within the foiling community. Sailors who've tested it are already calling it a "game-changer" due to its faster speeds, smoother maneuvers, and overall enhanced performance.
"Faster speeds, easier maneuvers, and simply improved performance make this new rudder a no-brainer,"says Tyler Bjorn, WASZP North American Class Manager. "The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and the satisfaction from sailors worldwide is a true testament not only to the product's quality but also to the passion that designer Andrew McDougall brings to the WASZP class."
The WASZP has taken the foiling world by storm, becoming arguably the most popular foiling dinghy globally, with nearly 2,000 boats distributed worldwide. The class continues to set attendance records year after year, and 2025 is no exception, with over 210 competitors already registered for the International WASZP Games later this year.
As the WASZP North American Championship unfolds in Pensacola this week, all eyes are on who best takes advantage of the new rudder's performance. Will it live up to the hype? Early reports say yes—and with this fleet's talent and determination, we're in for an unforgettable week of foiling action.
Stay tuned for daily updates and results as Foiling Week Pensacola continues to make history.
Listen Podcast