News
Australian Sailing and Foil Drive partner to expand foiling opportunities
Published Fri 25 Sep 2026
Australian Sailing has announced Foil Drive as its Official Electric-assisted Hydrofoiling Partner, with the partnership set to play an important role in supporting the development of Para Sailing and creating new opportunities for people to experience and progress in foiling across Australia.
The partnership brings together Australian Sailing and Australian-founded foiling technology company Foil Drive, with a shared focus on innovation, participation and creating greater opportunities for sailors of all abilities, including people with disability to experience and progress in sailing.
As part of the partnership, Foil Drive will support Australian Sailing’s Para Sailing initiatives, including its Para Inclusive Wing Development camps, providing technology, equipment and technical expertise to help sailors and coaches explore new approaches to foiling and develop more accessible pathways into the sport.
Townsville Camp CREDIT Josh Ku
Foil Drive’s electric-assisted hydrofoiling technology assists sailors as they learn to foil, offering greater flexibility in equipment configuration and creating opportunities to adapt the foiling experiences to the needs of individual sailors. This can help create new ways for people to experience foiling, build confidence and develop fundamental skills.
The partnership will support Australian Sailing’s broader work to grow Para Sailing in Australia, including the ongoing exploration of pathways towards the potential return of sailing to the Paralympic Games at Brisbane 2032.
Australian Sailing CEO Malcolm Page OAM said Foil Drive’s support would help Australian Sailing continue to challenge traditional approaches to participation and develop new opportunities for sailors of all abilities.
“Innovation has an important role to play in creating more opportunities for people with disability to participate and progress in sailing,” said Page.
“Foil Drive has already demonstrated a strong commitment to our Para Sailing programs, and we are delighted to formalise that relationship through this partnership. Their technology and technical expertise will help our sailors and coaches explore what is possible with electric-assisted hydrofoiling and give us another tool to develop inclusive pathways into the sport."
Foil Drive’s Global Sales and Marketing Director Chris Radford said the company was proud to support Australian Sailing’s work to expand opportunities for Para sailors and grow participation in sailing.
“Foil Drive was founded in Australia with a simple ambition, to make foiling more accessible and give more people the opportunity to experience what is possible on a foil. Partnering with Australian Sailing is a great opportunity to take that ambition even further.
“Working alongside the Australian Sailing team and the sailors involved in the Para Inclusive Wing Development Program has shown us just how powerful technology can be when it is used to remove barriers and open up new possibilities. Our role is not to define what people can or can’t do, but to provide the technology, equipment and support that helps sailors find their own pathway into foiling and progress at their own pace.
“We’re incredibly proud to support Australian Sailing’s work in Para Sailing and to play a part in exploring what the future of inclusive foiling and sailing in Australia could look like.”
The partnership builds on Foil Drive’s involvement in Australian Sailing’s Para Inclusive Wing Development Program, which is exploring the potential of seated wing foiling and developing the skills, knowledge and equipment required to support sailors with a range of abilities and access needs.
The partnership reinforces Australian Sailing’s commitment to innovation, inclusion and expanding access to sailing, while providing Foil Drive with an opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and development of foiling and the sport in Australia.
Images: Josh Ku
