On a warm June afternoon at Whistler Sailing, Olympic hopeful Valentino Blewett carved effortlessly across Alta Lake, making elite-level foiling look deceptively easy.
For many at the sailing centre, it was inspiring to watch. For those who have known Valentino since his childhood days in Whistler Sailing’s WetFeet program, it was something more: a glimpse of how far dedication, talent, and perseverance can take a young athlete.
Today, Valentino is one of Canada’s top IQFoil sailors and is actively pursuing qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games. During a visit home, he sat down with us to reflect on his journey, his training, and the road ahead.
Where It All Started
For Valentino, Whistler Sailing remains a special place.
“It’s cool to be back where it kind of started,” he says.
Like many young sailors, his introduction to the sport included a few memorable learning experiences. One of his strongest childhood memories is a capsize during a WetFeet session.
“I definitely got scared,” he laughs. “But I calmed down and figured it out. It taught me not to panic.”
That lesson still resonates today.
Growing up in Whistler provided more than just sailing opportunities. Surrounded by skiing, biking, paddling, and a culture built around outdoor adventure, Valentino developed the mindset that now drives his international campaign.
“Whistler teaches you how to have fun while still pushing yourself,” he explains. “I think that shaped me as an athlete.”
Chasing the Olympic Dream
The path to the Olympics is rarely straightforward.
Valentino is currently focused on qualifying Canada for the 2028 Olympic Games in the IQFoil class, the newest Olympic windsurfing discipline.
His most promising route may come through the 2027 Pan American Games, where a limited number of Olympic spots will be awarded.
“It’s hard,” he says matter-of-factly. “But it’s definitely doable.”
The confidence isn’t misplaced.
Over the past two years, Valentino has emerged as one of Canada’s top performers on the international stage. He recently placed 17th at French Olympic Week, one of the premier regattas on the Olympic circuit, competing against many of the world’s best senior athletes.
While the result itself was encouraging, one race in particular stood out.
“I decided to take a risk,” he recalls. “I started on port tack, went all the way right, got a good shift, and ended up finishing second.”
The experience reinforced an important lesson: sometimes success requires committing fully to a decision and trusting your instincts.
Life as an Olympic Campaigner
The glamorous image of international competition often hides the reality behind it.
For Valentino, daily life revolves around travel, training, recovery, and constant learning.
“If there’s wind, I’m sailing,” he says.
A typical week includes five to six days on the water and several gym sessions focused on strength, endurance, and injury prevention.
At nearly 6-foot-5, Valentino already has the physical profile of a top IQFoil athlete, but even he is still working to build strength and optimize his performance.
“In this class, weight can be an advantage if your technique is good,” he explains. “Once you’re flying, more power helps.”
Training takes him across Europe, with regular sessions in world-renowned sailing destinations such as Lake Garda, Palma, and Lanzarote.
Yet despite the exotic locations, the focus remains remarkably simple.
“Just keep improving.”
What Separates the Best from the Rest?
Ask Valentino what distinguishes the world’s top athletes, and his answer is refreshingly honest.
“I’m still trying to figure that out.”
Speed is certainly part of the equation. So are technique, fitness, equipment setup, and tactical decision-making.
The surprising reality, however, is how small the margins have become.
“The top 15 or 20 sailors are actually really close,” he says.
At the highest level, races are often decided by subtle differences in execution: a cleaner maneuver, a slightly better start, or a perfectly timed wind shift.
In modern IQFoil racing, athletes now complete full foiling tacks and gybes while maintaining flight, reducing losses and making racing even tighter.
“Everybody’s gotten really good,” Valentino says. “If you stay on foil, you don’t lose much.”
More Than Physical Training
Like many elite athletes, Valentino recognizes that performance is as much mental as physical.
He regularly works with a mental performance coach, using visualization and other techniques to prepare for competition.
“Everything matters,” he says. “You can’t really miss any part.”
The approach reflects a growing understanding in high-performance sport that success comes from stacking small advantages across every aspect of preparation.
Whether it’s physical conditioning, equipment tuning, tactical awareness, recovery, or mindset, every detail contributes.
Staying Connected to the Joy of Sailing
Despite the demands of international competition, Valentino still finds time to simply enjoy being on the water.
He continues to windsurf recreationally, sail different boats, surf when he can, and experiment with new skills.
“I like mixing it up,” he says.
That curiosity and love of the sport remain central to who he is.
When asked about his favorite place to sail, he struggles to choose. Lake Garda, Palma, Lanzarote, and countless other venues have all played important roles in his development.
Yet he still has a soft spot for Whistler.
“Sailing here is beautiful,” he says. “The mountains, the snow, the scenery. It’s pretty special.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Valentino’s visit comes at an exciting time for Whistler Sailing.
Wingfoiling continues to grow rapidly in the Sea to Sky corridor, and this summer the sailing centre will launch its first youth wingfoil camp, creating new pathways for young athletes to discover the sport.
Watching Valentino train on Alta Lake offered a glimpse of what those pathways can lead to.
Not long ago, he was a WetFeet sailor learning the basics. Today, he is competing against the world’s best and chasing an Olympic berth.
For the next generation of sailors and foilers launching from Whistler’s docks, that’s a powerful reminder that big dreams often start in small boats.
Or, in Valentino’s case, with a capsize, a lesson in staying calm, and a lifelong love of being on the water.
As his Olympic campaign continues, the entire Whistler Sailing community will be cheering him on.
Valentino Blewett at a Glance
Age: 18
Discipline: iQFOiL (Olympic Windsurfing)
Hometown: Whistler, BC
Whistler Sailing Alumni: WetFeet Program
Recent Results
- 1st — 2026 Canadian iQFOiL Championships
- 17th — 2026 French Olympic Week
- 4th — Youth European Championships
- 1st — 2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games (Torbole, Italy)
Goal: Qualify Canada for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Images: Jill Wynott