The 38th Windsurfing & Wingfoil World Championship began this Friday on the beaches of Sotavento, in Pájara, with the Freestyle competition. For ten days, the island will host the best international specialists.
The beaches of Sotavento, in the municipality of Pájara, have become the global epicentre of windsurfing and wingfoiling since this Friday. The 38th Windsurfing & Wingfoil World Championship has kicked off with the Freestyle phase, featuring 40 participants from various countries, including 32 men and 8 women.
Freestyle and Slalom X: two disciplines, three titles
The Freestyle competition will take place from 17 to 21 July, while the Slalom X will occupy the second week, from 22 to 26. In total, three world titles will be contested: the women's Freestyle title and the men's and women's Slalom X championships. The Freestyle format includes heats of nine minutes, with a maximum of seven attempts per side, rewarding the difficulty and variety of the maneuvers.
The wind blew strongly enough on the first day, allowing competitors to start using sails between 4.0 and 4.4 meters. The organisers are hopeful that the weather conditions will remain favourable, with the characteristic wind from the southeast coast of Fuerteventura, although the choppy sea and natural ramps require maximum precision.
Official presentation with island authorities
Before the sporting events began, an official presentation was held by the beach, attended by the president of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, Lola García; the Tourism Councillor, Marlene Figueroa; and the Sports Councillor, Luis González. Representatives from the Government of the Canary Islands and the Pájara Town Hall, led by Mayor Alejandro Jorge, also attended. They all welcomed the participants and emphasised the importance of this event for the island's tourism and sports projection.
The event concluded with the traditional family photo, in a setting that has become a classic on the global calendar. Sotavento, with its constant wind and dune landscape, is once again the dream venue for lovers of light sailing sports.
A championship that boosts sports tourism in Fuerteventura
For the locals, this championship is not just a sporting event, but also an economic driver. The arrival of athletes, coaches, and fans from around the world fills hotels and restaurants during a traditionally good season, but this event adds an extra layer of international exposure. Fuerteventura is consolidating as a reference destination for windsurfing, and Sotavento, with its unique conditions, remains the perfect laboratory for the most daring maneuvers.
The coming days promise intense emotions, with the first direct duels in the men's and women's Freestyle brackets. Those who come to the beach will enjoy a free show of jumps, spins, and impossible landings, while the wind and sea test the best in the world. And although wingfoiling has made a strong entrance, classic windsurfing still holds a place in the hearts of the Canarians.
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