Author: Whistler Sailing

Whistler Sailing Association is proud to congratulate Valentino Blewett on winning the 2026 iQFOiL Canadian Championship, held June 12–14 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Competing against a strong field of athletes from across Canada and the United States, Valentino delivered a dominant performance throughout the regatta. Sailing CAN 187, he won 12 of the 14 races completed over the three-day championship and finished with just 12 net points, securing the national title by a comfortable margin.

The event brought together many of Canada’s top foiling athletes and served as the country’s premier championship for the Olympic iQFOiL class. Valentino’s consistency and speed were on full display as he led the fleet from the opening race and never looked back.

Valentino’s sailing journey began right here at Whistler Sailing, where he first learned the sport in our Optimist program on Alta Lake. Since then, he has progressed through a variety of sailing disciplines and has become one of Canada’s top iQFOiL athletes, competing and training internationally while continuing to maintain Whistler Sailing as his home club.

His championship victory is a testament to years of dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence both on and off the water. Valentino’s success also serves as an inspiration to the next generation of sailors currently learning and racing at Whistler Sailing.

On behalf of everyone at Whistler Sailing Association, congratulations Valentino on an incredible achievement. We look forward to following your continued success on the national and international stage.

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Well sailed, Valentino! ⛵🏆

This past weekend, Whistler Sailing was thrilled to host our first ever Women’s Wing Foil Camp on Alta Lake.

The camp brought together a fantastic group of women from a variety of backgrounds, all eager to learn, connect, and develop their wing foiling skills. Throughout the weekend, participants enjoyed a welcoming and supportive environment while building confidence and knowledge alongside fellow riders.

Each morning began with guided stretch and mobility sessions led by Astrid Kent, helping participants prepare both physically and mentally for the day ahead. These sessions quickly became a favourite part of the camp, setting a positive tone for the learning and activities that followed.

With lighter-than-expected winds throughout the weekend, the group made the most of the conditions through a series of classroom and land-based sessions covering wing foil theory, equipment and technique. Participants left with a stronger understanding of the sport and valuable knowledge they can apply on the water.

The positive attitude, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn shown by everyone involved made the weekend a success. We’re looking forward to welcoming the participants back soon to complete the on-water portion of the camp and continue their wing foiling journey.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, as well as Astrid Kent, Sandra Bicego, and our coaching team for helping create such a positive and empowering experience. We can’t wait to get everyone back on the water soon!

The Whistler Sailing wing foil instructor team came together this week on Alta Lake for our annual instructor training session ahead of the 2026 season.

The day focused on reviewing coaching techniques, safety procedures, rescue protocols, and best practices to help ensure every student has a safe, enjoyable, and rewarding experience on the water.

Instructor training is an important part of preparing for the season. It gives our team the opportunity to refresh key skills, share knowledge, review teaching methods, and spend valuable time working together on the water. As wing foiling continues to grow, maintaining a strong and consistent coaching standard helps us provide the best possible experience for riders at every level.

Alta Lake once again delivered ideal training conditions, allowing the team to practice a variety of on-water scenarios while fine-tuning the skills that help students progress confidently and safely.

With training complete, our instructors are ready for another summer of wing foiling in Whistler. Whether you’re completely new to the sport or looking to build on existing skills, our programs are designed to help you develop confidence and spend more time riding.

We look forward to welcoming both new and returning students to the lake this season.

Interested in learning to wing foil?

Visit our Adult Wing Foiling page to learn more about lessons and programs available this summer.

Kick off the season on the right foot with our 3-hour Season Opener Clinic — the perfect way to get back on the water and into the rhythm of sailing.

Designed as a pre-season tune-up, this session focuses on the fundamentals that make a real difference once racing begins. We’ll work on boat handling, revisit key skills, dial in boat balance, and tighten up mark roundings to help you sail more confidently and efficiently.

The session will be led by coach Jeff Baird, who will provide hands-on coaching and practical tips throughout to help you shake off the rust and feel ready for the season ahead.

Details:
Date: Wednesday May 20, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Boat: Pirate Sailboats
Price: $60 + tax
What to Bring: Positive attitude (lifejackets & helmets will be provided)
Après: Join us for a social at Alpine Café after the session

A great way to reconnect with the water, refresh your skills, and set yourself up for a strong start to the season.

Valid 2026 membership required.

June 13–14

We’re excited to introduce our Women’s Wing Foil Camp — a two-day progression-focused weekend designed to help you get up on foil.

If you’re comfortable riding with the wing and starting to feel those first moments of lift, this camp is all about taking the next step. We’ll focus on the details that make the difference — building board speed, refining wing control, and dialing in balance and body positioning.

Led by coach Sandra Bicego, with daily guided stretch sessions from Astrid Kent, the weekend is designed to support both your progression and your time on the water.

With coach boat support, you’ll maximize your time riding and get the repetition needed for things to click. Lunch is included.

Spots are limited — be sure to register early to secure your place.

Our Adult Learn to Sail courses are already filling up for June — and spots are going quickly!

If you’ve been thinking about getting out on the water, now is a great time to jump in. These small group courses are designed to help you build confidence, learn the fundamentals, and enjoy the experience alongside other new sailors.

Upcoming Courses:

⛵ Learn to Sail Level 1
June 1, 2, 8, 9 | 5–8pm
Only 2 spots remaining

⛵ Learn to Sail Level 1
June 15, 16, 22, 23 | 5–8pm

⛵ Intermediate Level 2
June 15, 16, 22, 23 | 5–8pm

Whether you’re brand new or ready to build on existing skills, these courses are a great way to get comfortable on the water and be part of the sailing community.

Spots are limited — secure yours before they’re gone.

Spring has arrived in Whistler, and with it, the return of sailing on Alta Lake.

We kicked off our annual Boat Launch, bringing the community together to get the fleet back on the water and ready for the season ahead. With a great turnout and plenty of helping hands, boats were rigged, docks came back to life, and the club officially woke up after the winter months.

It was a great opportunity to reconnect, catch up with familiar faces, and welcome the energy that comes with a new season. There’s something special about this day each year — a shared sense of excitement as everything comes together again.

We were also excited to see foilers already out on the water, a sure sign that the season is off to an early and enthusiastic start.

Days like this are a reminder of what makes Whistler Sailing unique. It’s a community that comes together, pitches in, and shares a genuine love for time on the lake. From volunteers and members to new faces joining us this year, it’s the collective effort that makes everything possible.

With the fleet launched and the season officially underway, we’re looking forward to everything ahead — from learn-to-sail programs and youth camps to race nights and long summer evenings on the water.

See you on the lake ⛵

We’re getting ready to welcome another season on Alta Lake, and it all starts with our annual Boat Launch.

Join us on Saturday, April 11th from 4–6:30pm as we bring the fleet back to the water and prepare for the months ahead. This is an important day for the club, and we’re looking for volunteers to help make it happen.

This year, we’re launching a bit earlier than usual to support early season programming.

Boat Launch is a hands-on event, and there’s a role for everyone, whether you’re helping move boats, organizing equipment, or lending a hand wherever needed. No experience required, just a willingness to pitch in.

It’s also one of the first chances of the year to reconnect with fellow members, meet new faces, and shake off the winter. There’s nothing quite like seeing the lake come back to life.

Many hands make light work, and your support makes a real difference.

If you’re planning to attend, please RSVP to info@whistlersailing.com so we can plan accordingly.

We look forward to seeing you down at the docks and kicking off the 2026 season together.

We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a great start to the new year! With all this snow on the ground, it may be hard to picture sunny days on Alta Lake—but we’re already looking ahead to summer. ⛵❄️➡️☀️

Our 2026 sailing programs are now live and available to book. From youth learn-to-sail camps to advanced racing and adult programming, we’re excited to welcome sailors of all ages and experience levels back on the water.

Spaces fill up quickly each year, so we encourage families and sailors to secure their spot early to avoid missing out on their preferred sessions.

If you have any questions or need assistance with registration, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is here and ready to help with booking inquiries and to make the process as smooth as possible.

We can’t wait to see you on the lake this summer!

Book now

We’re excited to share that the 2026 Whistler Regatta will also serve as the BC Optimist Championships this year. Hosting the provincial Optimist fleet on Alta Lake is a special opportunity, and we’re thrilled to welcome young sailors from across British Columbia to Whistler.

Please note that the Whistler Regatta will take place earlier than usual this year, running on July 18–19, 2026. The earlier date allows us to accommodate the BC Optimist Championships. 

More details about registration, logistics, and event schedules will be shared closer to the event. We look forward to an exciting weekend of racing and to showcasing Alta Lake as a championship venue.Stay tuned for updates and event details at whistlersailing.com/whistler-regatta