Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

Caribbean Foiling Championships 2022 - Overall

by Margot Mesnard 12 Dec 2022 07:07 GMT December 9-11, 2022

Despite abnormal wind conditions for this year's edition, contestants partook in a couple of race rounds, even if the famous race all around the island could not take place, and in fun and adventurous activities discovering the friendly island and the range of watersports it has to offer.

High spirits despite no racing

The high pressure weather system currently in the Atlantic ocean caused abnormal low wind conditions in St Martin at this time of the year and prevented the races from taking place as planned. Participants could only do one race on Friday morning. On Saturday afternoon, the wind picked up slightly before dropping again.

On Sunday morning, a 8-10 knots wind was established in Orient Bay and the races were launched for eager contestants: the kitefoil pro category did five races, being able to gain speed even in light wind, and the wingfoil category did two races. Sunday afternoon was the last window open for racing but the wind was not stable enough. ''We are glad participants could race, we took every opportunity we could'' said organizers Maxim Van den Pol and Sacha van der Wouden.

During low wind periods, spirits stayed high and the group bounded together in friendly camaraderie. Friends, family members and partners who took the trip as well soon became part of the group as laughter filled out the headquarters at Club Wind Adventures. Participants were always ready to set-up in case of a wind gust, and in the meantime were discussing and exchanging around foiling technique and gear.

New water and on-shore activities

The organizers of the event adapted the schedule and proposed fun and adventurous activities. Participants went together to explore Tintamarre, practice foiling towed behind the boat, and e-foil in Orient Bay. The e-foil is available to try at Club Wind Adventures, a board powered with a battery and a remote control in your hand, rising above the water and gaining speed. ''You can get the hang of it in half an hour with a lesson with our instructor'' says Emmanuel Demanez, owner of Club Wind Adventures.

Good times were also shared at dinners at restaurants in Orient Bay and during the beach BBQ of the Saturday night with a DJ and sponsored by Amstel Bright. During the day, in between races, contestants were enjoying the beach, playing beach tennis, could go around thanks to the Dollar Thrifty rented car and indulging in a well deserved ice cream from Gelateria Milano on the last day just before prize-giving.

Awaiting next year's competition

The desire to compete never left the contestants in these Championships and numerous races were very close with contestants winning by only half a point or one point difference. The final activity was a cheerful stand up paddle competition which was exciting to watch for spectators but taken seriously by many regarding the Cabrinha Wing to win, donated by Cabrinha Kites.

Overall results for the three days of the championships are as follow:

Kitefoil Pro category:

  • First: Julien Quentel (St Martin)
  • Second: Neels Pechoux (Guadeloupe)
  • Third: Franck Balvay (St Martin)
Windfoil category:
  • First: Sacha Fortuné (Guadeloupe)
Wingfoil Pro category:
  • First: Mahé Thebault (Guadeloupe)
  • Second: Caesar Finies (Bonaire)
  • Third: Manon Dupé (Guadeloupe)
Wingfoil leisure category:
  • First: Storm Nicolai (Bonaire)
  • Second: Bobbi-Lynn De Jong (Bonaire)
  • Third: Kit De Jong (Bonaire)
Prizes were also given to Aurélie Garreau as best female, Serge Amiot for best sportsmanship, and Lone De Jong for most worthy youngster.

Contestants on the podium received prizes from Duotone, Cabrinha Kites, local shop Surf Ace, One by K and day passes at Belmond - La Samanna for the winners. The grand prize of a two-nights stay at Belmond La Samanna stays open, as the record of going all around the island in kitefoil by locals Julien Quentel in 1 hours and 12 minutes, and in wingfoil by Theo Demanez in 2 hours and 53 minutes, remains to be beaten.

After three days together, contestants are ready to go back home from all corners of the Caribbean. The competition spirit remains and all are determined to go back and train to try again in 2023 in better wind conditions. Foiling is a fast evolving sport, and there are a lot of new promising talents in the region. ''I will keep training and come back next year'' says Willan Dolmin from the group of young riders from Guadeloupe. The organizers would like to thank all sponsors who contributed to making this event joyful and attractive in the Caribbean and especially Club Wind Aventures, the headquarters of the event, for their support.

Related Articles

RS200s at Bowmoor
Masters Championship and West Country Boat Repairs RS200 Southwest Ugly Tour event Bowmoor was delighted to welcome visitors from as far afield as Bough Beech, Castle Cove, Bartley, Draycote and Chew Valley for the 2025 RS200 Master's Championship and the third round of the West Country Boat Repairs RS200 Southwest Ugly Tour. Posted today at 9:50 am
DF95 Summer Series at Barton's Point week 1
With a ghost of a breeze at the Isle of Sheppey With a ghost of a breeze and a 90 degree shift forecast only nine boats attended the first East Kent Summer Series event at the club's Isle of Sheppey venue. Adrian Tomlinson finally got a course set, but it quickly changed to two reaches. Posted today at 9:43 am
ILCA UK Women's Regatta Weekend at Rutland
A stunning weekend for training, racing, yoga, a rules talk and friendship A stunning weekend of warm, sunny weather awaited 24 women and girls and their boats looking for training, racing, yoga, a rules talk and friendship. Posted today at 7:45 am
2025 Transat Café L'OR is packed with surprises
73 boats sailed by 146 co-skippers will set sail on October 26th 73 boats sailed by 146 co-skippers will set sail on October 26th on the TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR Le Havre Normandy. Posted today at 7:20 am
The Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue is back at sea
Peter Burling joining the team for the Rolex Fastnet Race After a refit that began in March, the Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue was relaunched this Thursday, July 3. Lined up for the months ahead is an exciting race programme, culminating this year with the Transat Café L'Or in October. Posted today at 5:14 am
Transpac's Middle fleet sets off for Diamond Head
Seventeen boats begin the 2,225-mile Pacific Crossing in light air conditions Seventeen boats begin the 2,225-mile Pacific Crossing in light air conditions in Transpac's second start. Posted today at 2:39 am
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D4
High stakes for semi-finalists as the final four teams in each division are locked in The third day of racing at GKSS Match Cup Sweden saw the completion of the quarter-final match-ups in both the Open and Women's class, locking in the final four teams in each division for Friday's semi-finals. Posted on 3 Jul
Northern ILCA circuit at Rudyard Lake
Gritted teeth, hard hiking and several capsizes Rudyard Lake Sailing Club held the latest round of the Northern ILCA circuit with eleven ILCA sailors on Saturday 28th June. Posted on 3 Jul
Celebrating 50 years of AZAB
Royal Cornwall YC host gathering of Azores and Back competitors Yachtsmen and women from around the world gathered at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club to celebrate 50 years since the Club's "Azores and Back" (AZAB) yacht race first set off from Falmouth Harbour. Posted on 3 Jul
2025 29er Europeans at Lake Garda Day 1
Five teams tied at the top Ikke Huber / Liam Berger (Switzerland) lead the charge after sweeping all 3 races in the Green fleet — an impressive perfect score of 2 points. Lucas & Moritz Hamm, the dynamic twin duo from Germany, matched their Swiss rivals with consistency and pace. Posted on 3 Jul