The world's best young foilers gather in Costa Brava for 2026 iQFOiL Youth & Junior Worlds
by iQFOiL Class Association 3 Jul 21:51 BST
3-10 July 2026
The world's top young windsurfers have arrived on Spain's Costa Brava as the 2026 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships officially get under way at Club de Vela La Ballena Alegre.
From July 3 to 10, a total of 399 athletes representing 36 nations will compete across eight days of racing to crown the new Under 19 and Under 17 World Champions.
Widely regarded as one of Europe's premier venues for windsurfing and foiling, Sant Pere Pescador offers the perfect stage for the championship. Located on the Gulf of Roses, the venue is renowned for its reliable thermal winds, long sandy beaches and world-class racing conditions, attracting athletes from around the globe year after year.
Following registration, equipment inspections and the Opening Ceremony that has just taken place, racing is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Saturday, July 4. Throughout the week, competitors will contest an Opening Series that may feature Course Racing, Sprint Racing and Marathon disciplines, with the exact format selected according to the weather conditions and forecasts.
The championship format mirrors the pathway followed by future Olympic athletes. Depending on fleet sizes, the Opening Series may be divided into Qualifying and Final Series before the event reaches its decisive stage. Only the top 10 athletes in each category will advance to the Medal Series on the final day of competition, Friday July 10.
The Medal Series will once again feature the now-established elimination format of Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Grand Finals. The top-ranked athletes from the Opening Series will carry a significant advantage into the final stages, but with the winner determined on the water, the battle for the world titles remains open until the very last race.
Beyond the racing, the championship is also reinforcing its commitment to sustainability through a new Wetsuit Downcycling & Reutilization Initiative launched by Club de Vela La Ballena Alegre. Athletes are encouraged to donate old or damaged wetsuits for reuse, redistribution or transformation into new circular products, helping reduce waste and promote sustainable practices within water sports.
"The iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships continue to represent the highest level of international youth competition in Olympic windsurfing, bringing together many of the athletes expected to shape the future of the sport in the years ahead," said Gonzalo Costa Hoevel, iQFOiL Class Manager."For some, the journey to future Olympic Games begins here."
With hundreds of athletes, coaches and support teams now gathered on the Costa Brava, the stage is set for an unforgettable week of racing.
Key Dates:
July 3: Registration, Equipment Check, Opening Ceremony
July 4-9: Opening Series and Final Series
July 10: Medal Series and Prize Giving Ceremony