'We CAN Foil' set to fly in 2023

'We CAN Foil' is Canada SailGP Team's youth programme © H Pelletier / Canada SailGP Team

Over 500 youth across the country had the opportunity to try foiling as part of the Canada SailGP Team's inaugural We CAN Foil programme which culminated in a team training camp and foiling demos during CANFoil week last October in Halifax.

The 2023 We CAN Foil programme is about to take flight and will include demo days, Foiling For Life initiatives and a pathway programme for athletes interested in competing on a national and international level.  Elevating the skills and exposure of top sailors to international competitions is an important aspect of the We CAN Foil program going forward.

The Canada SailGP Team is pleased to be partnering with RBR on the evolution of We CAN Foil, which will be established as a non-profit entity running the nationwide program. RBR designs and manufactures deep-sea thermometers and other instruments for measuring climate change.

RBR's three year commitment to We CAN Foil also enables an expansion in programming to incorporate the Nacra 17 (double handed foiling catamaran) and the 69F (one design foiler with fleets in the US and Europe) Classes.

Renowned high performance coach, Agustin Ferrario, is leading We CAN Foil as Program Director, with responsibility for all day-to-day operations: "I'm excited to combine my passion for foiling and sailor development into this initiative.

"The interest for foiling in Canada is evident and the talent across the country is promising.  With the inspiration from the Canada SailGP Team and the new opportunities We CAN Foil will bring, the time has come for Canada to lead the way in this game!" said Agustin.

Greg Johnson, President of RBR, Founder of RBRflightschool and President of We CAN Foil said: "RBR has been supporting high performance sailors in Canada for a number of years through the RBRflightschool.  This is an important step in enabling foiling at a national level, through individuals, clubs and professional teams.

"The Canada SailGP Team is very pleased to be partnering with RBR on this important initiative.  We've seen that there is a tremendous interest in foiling in Canada and it is our hope that we can grow the programme exponentially and provide a genuine pathway for female and male athletes in the sport of sailing.  The future is flying!" said Jean-Sebastien Chenier Proteau, CEO of the Canada Sail GP Team.

Jean-Sebastien Chenier Proteau (CEO) and Phil Robertson (Driver) will provide strategic direction on behalf of the Canada SailGP Team.

Canada SailGP Team is currently training in Singapore in the lead up to the event this weekend.  Tune into TSN or YouTube to watch the Singapore Sail Grand Prix live at 0100 EST or the replays on TSN at 1100 EST on Saturday and 1130 EST on Sunday!

We CAN Foil: Powered by RBR & Canada SailGP Team
Suppliers: Oliver Solutions, NSP, SUPandFoil.com, WASZP
Race for the Future Partners: Sail Canada & Ocean Wise

Canada SailGP Team in action on Race Day 2 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Cadiz, Andalusia, Spain - photo © Ian Walton for SailGP