A chat with Pablo Guitian: all you need to know about the Foiling Base Cádiz powered by SailGP

Can you tell us about the origins of the Foiling Base in Cadiz? How was the idea conceived and what was the process of bringing it to life?

The Foiling Base Cádiz powered by SailGP Inspire was established in 2023, following the resounding success of two major SailGP events hosted in Cádiz in 2021 and 2022. These events were a triumph in terms of spectator turnout and active participation from both local and national communities. Recognizing the lack of foiling knowledge in the area, SailGP, in collaboration with the Spanish SailGP team and the Municipal Sports Institute of the City Council of Cádiz, initiated a project to make foiling more accessible to everyone in the local community.

The goal was to disseminate the principles of foiling, equip facilities with state-of-the-art technology, and create activities catering to all enthusiasts—beginners, traditional sailors transitioning to foiling, and professionals. By providing an all-encompassing foiling environment, the initiative aimed to establish Cádiz as a reference point in the sport of sailing, specifically in the foiling discipline, and to create a world-class center. Thus, the Foiling Base Cádiz powered by SailGP Inspire was born, offering cutting-edge resources and fostering the growth of foiling both locally and globally.

Why was Cadiz chosen as the location for the Foiling Base? What makes this spot ideal for foiling activities and training?

Cádiz was selected due to its exceptional climatic conditions, boasting an average of 300 days per year suitable for water sports. The region offers a diverse range of sailing conditions: flat waters within the bay ideal for foiling when needed, and open waters with waves at the SailGP race course for those seeking more challenging conditions. The predominant winds are Poniente (westerly winds) ranging between 10 and 18 knots and Levante (easterly winds) between 16 and 25 knots. Currents add another layer to the dynamic sailing environment.

Multiple race courses with varying conditions make Cádiz a versatile and attractive training ground. Traditionally, numerous teams—from Olympic sailors to ocean racers, both national and international—have chosen Cádiz as their winter training center to prepare for the competition season in spring and summer. Additionally, Cádiz enjoys a mild average annual temperature of around 18°C (64°F), making it comfortable for year-round training. These factors combined establish Cádiz as an ideal and strategic location for the Foiling Base.

What are the main objectives of the Foiling Base? Is it focused on training, events, or development of the sport at all levels?

The main objectives of the Foiling Base Cádiz powered by SailGP Inspire are multifaceted. We aim to promote foiling at all levels by making it more accessible to the local community and beyond. Our focus is on comprehensive training, organizing events, and fostering the development of the sport across all skill levels. By disseminating the principles of foiling and providing state-of-the-art facilities equipped with the latest technology, we create activities for all enthusiasts—beginners, traditional sailors transitioning to foiling, and professionals. Our goal is to establish Cádiz as a reference point in the sport of sailing, particularly in the foiling discipline.

Could you walk us through the different activities and programs offered at the Foiling Base? Are they open to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced foilers?

Absolutely. At the Foiling Base Cadiz, we offer a wide range of activities and programs designed to cater to enthusiasts of all skill levels. For beginners, we provide introductory courses using Birdyfish and Wingfoil equipment, teaching the fundamentals of foiling in a safe and controlled environment. For those transitioning from traditional sailing, we offer programs that ease the shift to foiling, leveraging their existing skills. Advanced sailors can participate in specialized training sessions with Waszp & Wingfoil, focusing on refining techniques, competitive sailing strategies, and performance optimization.

We also host regular workshops, clinics, and events that engage the community and promote continuous learning. Our facilities are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including Vakaros devices, to enhance the training experience. By offering an all-encompassing foiling environment, we ensure that everyone—from novices to seasoned professionals—can find opportunities to develop their skills.

How is Vakaros technology integrated into your daily training sessions? What specific insights does it provide to the sailors and coaches?

Vakaros technology is seamlessly integrated into our daily training sessions and is a cornerstone of our commitment to using the latest technology. We equip our fleets of Waszp, Birdyfish, and Wingfoil with the Vakaros Atlas 2 devices. These devices provide real-time data on critical performance metrics such as speed, heading, healing , pitching, time to kill, distance to the starting line…

This wealth of data allows sailors and coaches to perform in-depth analyses of performance during and after training sessions. Coaches can give immediate, data-driven feedback, enabling sailors to make precise adjustments and improvements. The advanced analytics help identify strengths and areas for improvement, optimize sailing techniques, and enhance overall training efficiency. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, Vakaros technology plays a vital role in accelerating skill development.

How has Vakaros technology helped in the training and progression of younger sailors, especially when it comes to getting them foiling more efficiently?

For younger sailors, the immediate and intuitive feedback provided by Vakaros devices significantly accelerates the learning process. The visual representation of performance data helps them understand how their actions affect the boat's behavior. This hands-on learning approach boosts their confidence and keeps them engaged.

By seeing real-time data on aspects like speed, bearing healing & pitch, young sailors can experiment and instantly see the results of their adjustments. This accelerates their mastery of foiling principles, making the training sessions more effective and enjoyable. The technology also allows coaches to tailor their instruction to each sailor's needs, providing personalized guidance that fosters rapid progression.

What impact do you think the Foiling Base is having on the local sailing community and beyond? Are there plans for future expansions or collaborations?

The Foiling Base Cádiz has created a reference model that is having a transformative impact on the local and national sailing community and the sport globally. We have established a pathway for a smooth transition from traditional sailing to modern sailing, aligning more closely with the desires of young sailors, those outside the community, and even traditional sailors who find these new disciplines increasingly appealing due to new sailing principles that build upon and complement their existing knowledge.

This model allows sailors to leverage all the expertise they've acquired in traditional sailing and enhance it with the new principles of foiling. By offering programs and activities that facilitate this transition, we've successfully engaged a broader and more diverse audience. Young sailors find foiling to be an exciting modality that resonates with their interests, while experienced sailors discover new ways to apply and expand their existing skills.

Moreover, by positioning Cádiz as a center of excellence in foiling, we are attracting international attention and fostering collaborations with other industry leaders. We have ambitious plans for future expansions, including further enhancing our facilities, introducing new educational programs, and expanding our strategic collaborators & partnerships . Our goal is to continue driving the growth of foiling, making the sport more accessible, and solidifying Cádiz as a world-renowned reference in this discipline.