The San Francisco Bay foil racing scene is reporting for duty and once again the St' Francis Yacht club is the center of action.
This years calendar is jam packed with 22 events to choose from. Thursday and Friday evenings are what we sailors call "Beer Can" racing while the weekend event s take racing to the next level. While the area is home to some of the worlds top foil racers what you'll find at these races is an open, and inclusive scene that is perfect for first time racers.
And yes joining the St FYC, while highly recommended is a bit pricey so wouldn't be cool if you could be a member of the club event just for a day? Well you basically get just that with your entrance fee to any of the events. You'll have near full access to the club for you and one guest. After racing you can take a hot shower, jump in the sauna, and then head to the Grill room for dinner with all the other racers! (photo by N. Osterman)
This years calendar features the longest runnning Windsurf Race in the world the SF Bay Classic, The Classic is not for the faint of heart. After a few triangles at near the Golden Gate Bridge racers slalom down the Bay all the way to Berkley to finish a 20+ mile race just outside the Berkley Pier. What makes this event so unique, and so hardcore, is the immediately upon finishing a second race starts. That race, known as the Ultra Nectar Challenge, is an all out mark free sprint all the way back to the St. Francis Yacht club. So regardless of how you finished in the Classic you have another chance in the UN Challenge. If racing 40 miles on San Francisco Bay is your thing put this one on your bucket list and start training now. (Photo By Chris Ray)
But wait, there's more. The infamous Ronstan Bay Challenge sees the entire fleet start at the same time in a single race all out downwind sprint. Starting line - the Golden Gate Bridge. Finish line - The Bay Bridge. Then to top it off the Wingfoil Championships have been merged with the Bay Challenge. While we encourage all Wing Foilers to join in the Championships the Bay Challenge is one to think twice about. Why? Well it takes the SF Bay Classic and the Ultra Nectar Challenge we described above and turns it in to one race!
Foil racing not your thing? Well The Fleet 18 Racing in Foster City is back for another year on the Foster City Lagoon. Fleet 18 is fun competitive racing supported by quite the social scene. Whether you Kiteboard, Windsurf, or Wing Foil you'll find that racing is one of the best ways to just get better and connect with your community at the same time.
Thursday Night Foil Races
- 4-16, 4-26, 4-30, 5-7, 5-14, 5-21, 5-28, 6-4, 6-18, 7-9, 8-6, 8-13, 8-20
Friday Night Foil Races
- 4-24, 5-15, 6-12, 7-10, 8-21
The Big Races
- July 11th - SF Bay Classic
- August 1st - Bay Challenge
- July 30 - Aug 2 Wing Ding Challenge
- August 22nd - Ronstan Bridge to Bridge
