International foiling stars and Irish riders will gather in Dublin Bay later this month for the inaugural Dublin Bay Foil Festival. The two-day event takes place at Salthill on 19 and 20 June and will feature a mix of competition, demonstrations and equipment showcases.
Among the headline names attending are speed-sailing world record holder Bjorn Dunkerbeck and leading wing-foiling racers Noe Cantaloube, Milla Danguy and Titouan Galea.
The festival is being organised by Pure Magic, the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School (INSS), Dún Laoghaire Coastal Club (DLCC) and the Irish Windsurfing Association (IWA).
Professional and amateur riders will compete side by side in a programme that includes a speed challenge, fun courses and racing.
Wing foiling is expected to dominate the entry list. The sport combines a hydrofoil board with a handheld wing and has become one of the fastest-growing disciplines in watersports. Foil brands including AFS, FoilDrive, F-One and Duotone will showcase their latest equipment during the festival. Mugs Café and DLCC are also supporting the event.
Event organiser François Colussi of Pure Magic said the festival reflects the rapid growth of foiling in Ireland. "We've watched the growing interest in foiling over the past few years and felt that the time was right to put together a world-class event in Dublin Bay," he said. "We are inviting all foilers in Ireland and overseas to come and join us for an epic weekend."
International foiling stars and Irish riders will gather in Dublin Bay later this month for the inaugural festival
The event also coincides with Pure Magic's 20th anniversary. Entry is open to wing foilers, kite foilers and windfoilers. Further details are available here.
