I need your help to attend the IQ Foil Youth and Junior World Championships!

You can learn more about IQ Foil Youth windsurfing here:

https://youtu.be/kc4GS-QApMs

Background.

The IQ Foil Youth is a discipline of windsurfing that is extremely fast and has very intense racing. As a result having high agility, good fitness and being proactive are very important. I am asking for your support to make attending the world championships in Cadiz, Spain financially viable. The event will take place from the 20th to the 28th of October and is expected to have more than 400 competitors.

The funds raised will be used to cover the cost of travel, accommodation, entry fees and any spares needed to race in Cadiz.

About me.

I am 17 and am in year 11 at Mater Maria Catholic College. I am interested in Science and Engineering and as such I study Physics, Earth and Environmental Science and Engineering. I hope to graduate with high marks and study a science and engineering degree at university. As well as striving for academic success I am also a high performance athlete both in the high tech IQ Foil class and conventional sailing in the 13ft skiff class. My home waters are Pittwater specifically at BYRA but I also like to sail in Sydney Harbour at Balmoral/Middle Harbour and from Manly 16ft skiff club where I race the 13ft skiff class.

My story.

I started sailing in the summer of 2018 when my mum enrolled me in a learn to sail class at BYRA (Bayview Yacht Racing Association). For the first 2 lessons I wasn't very interested in it because I couldn't understand how all the mechanical parts and dynamics of the sail functioned and didn't like getting up early. Shortly after begging mum to not go sailing, it clicked and suddenly I couldn't get enough. After learning to sail I continued sailing in Manly juniors, Open skiffs, Flying 11s and a MG14. Following, I started a 3 year journey in the 29er class sailing out of BYRA and RPAYC on Pittwater. 

After a highly beneficial 3 years and many different teammates in the International 29er class (a high performance youth skiff designed to teach fast boat tactics and boat handling for the 49er skiff) I was looking for a change. After contemplating the many Youth classes sailed in Australia I decided on the techno 293 windsurfer. This would be the start of my IQ Foil racing aspirations. This was an appropriate change for many reasons. In this new class I could be on the water 15 minutes after arriving at the club, progress at my own rate, train whenever without relying on teammate availability and most importantly, adapt my conventional sailing experience into racing whilst also having lots of fun. Within 5 months I had learnt to windsurf, developed windsurfing specific racing skills and placed first in the NSW Youth State championship in the techno 293 class. 

After the NSW youth championship I continued to train over the rest of spring. In late spring/early summer 2022 I was invited to fill in for a friend on a 13ft skiff representing Manly 16ft skiff club at the NSW state championships. Our team claimed first place after 2 rounds and many tight races at 2 very different venues. Following the Success in the 13ft skiff state titles I realised that it was time to transition into the IQ Foil class due to lack of competition in the techno 293 class. I was lucky to get my hands on IQ Foil youth gear around Christmas time and took to the water for my first spin. I had never sailed anything foiling and the skill of controlling flight height came slowly but surely. At this stage I had been windsurfing for 6 months and was learning rapidly. Since first sailing the IQ Foil I have now learnt a long array of essential skills including board handling in up to gale force winds and have successfully enjoyed my first IQ Foil Regatta. 

I thoroughly enjoy sailing the IQ Foil Youth because of the many friends from around the country I have met, the depth of competition and the extreme speeds that can be achieved. I plan to continue in this Youth class until adulthood and then transition into the Adult Olympic IQ Foil gear.

While progressing through the 29er and windsurfing pathway I also have been volunteering at Bayview Yacht Racing Association (BYRA) for over 2 years and working/mentoring/inspiring the next generation over the last year. I coach the youth development open skiff and Manly junior team at BYRA on Pittwater by developing and managing appropriate on and off water training tailored to each sailor in the team and mentoring younger sailors by providing advice, tuning boats and endeavouring to inspire the next generation with a “you can achieve anything” approach. 

My most notable achievements                           

• 3rd NSW teams racing - 2019
• 2nd BYRA junior point score - Open Skiff 2019
• 1st division 1 at Combined High Schools regatta - 29er 2022
• 1st state schools overall at Combined High Schools regatta - 29er 2022
• 1st skiff class division at Combined High Schools regatta - 29er 2022
• 1st youth NSW state championship - Techno 293 2022
• 1st place 13ft skiff NSW championship - 2022/23
• 7th Australian 13ft skiff championship - 2023

As you can see above I have demonstrated past success in youth and junior classes and am looking to further my experience in my new focus IQ FOIL. I have been windsurfing for one year so far and sailing IQ Foil for 6 months.

My goal for the 2023 World Championship.

My goal is simple: Achieve the best possible result in the racing and learn how to race in the big fleets that we don't have access to in Australia. 

Why support me?

Much like every sport, sailing campaigns require a significant fund every year to stay competitive, maintain up to date equipment and travel to events. With the cost of travelling overseas and updating equipment regularly, it would not be achievable to be highly competitive without your support. For any companies that support this campaign appropriate branding can be placed on my sail for all to see in the lead up regattas at home, training at home and most importantly the world championships in Cadiz, Spain. Furthermore, by supporting a young sailor, you can help to build a stronger and more inclusive sailing community. Sailing is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all backgrounds and abilities, and your support for youth sailing would promote diversity and accessibility within the sport. Any donations/sponsorships that can support my campaign are appreciated and will be very beneficial to helping me achieve my goal. Furthermore, all donations over $2 are tax deductible!