Foil Bay of Islands 2026 returns Feb 20–22 as major multi-class regatta

An estimated 200+ foilers from New Zealand and overseas converged on the Bay of Islands Yacht Club at Waitangi/Paihia as Foil Bay of Islands 2026 ran Feb 20–22, the multi-class foiling regatta organisers promoted as New Zealand’s premier foiling event. The roster of racing included a Friday Adventure Race billed as long distance and suited to experienced foilers, and the Adventure Race was listed alongside Moth 2026 New Zealand Nationals in registration materials.

Series racing occupied Saturday and Sunday, with organisers running multi-class fleets across wingfoil, windfoil, kitefoil, Moth, Waspz and all windfoiler fleets. Humanitix described the on-water programme as “2 Days of Racing for Kitefoil, Waspz, Moth, all Windfoiler Fleets and Wingfoiler Gold(a winger that can gybe and tack both ways without problems) and Silver (a winger who can sail effectively upwind by either tacking or gybing and is comfortable getting around a race course).” Humanitix also listed two days of social wingfoil racing for lighter, fun-focused competition.

The Adventure Race was explicitly promoted as open to all classes but with standalone results separate from the series racing: “This race is open to all classes but results will be standalone and NOT count towards the series racing on Saturday and Sunday.” Humanitix further warned that “This race is long distance SUITED TO EXPERIENCED FOILERS ONLY AND not suitable for the Social wingfoilers,” and the ticketing page noted the Adventure Race would be “apart of Moths Nationals.”

Registration logistics and on-site amenities were laid out on the Humanitix booking page. Competitors were told to “Register by the 17th Feb 2026 to avoid the $50 Late fee!” and refunds were available up to one day prior to the event. Food options included a Friday Night Club BBQ priced at $19.50 (pay on the day) and food trucks on site for Saturday dinner. Humanitix also promoted the event as the “8th Annual Foil Bay of Islands NZ” and stated “Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity.”

The Bay of Islands Yacht Club hosted the weekend and listed event materials on its site, including “Sailing Instructions + Notice of Race,” “Wingfoil Fleets - Infomation,” “Entry List 02/02” and “Results - 2025.” Yachting New Zealand carried the event on its calendar and included its contact address at 11 Omana Road, Milford, Auckland 0620 on the event page.

A broad sponsor and partner roster supported the regatta, with High Performance Sport New Zealand, Sport New Zealand, VMG Race, Oceanbridge, B&G, MAERSK, Aon, Lawson’s Dry Hills, Radix, Orbit World Travel, NZL Sailing Foundation, NZCT, The Lion Foundation and Melanoma New Zealand all named. Event media and local suppliers listed included Insight Media and Bay of Islands ITM in Paihia. Social channels promoted the weekend, the Instagram caption read: “The Bay of Islands becomes a foiling playground once again. Foil BOI 2026, Feb 20–22. Register now!” Bay of Islands Yacht Club summed up the weekend’s tone: “This is less about strict racing and more about getting together with your mates, bringing your foils, and soaking up everything that makes Foil Bay of Islands special.”