Like most foil enthusiasts, I look forward to AWSI each year. It’s great seeing all new gear being shown off and always some great youtube and podcast interviews with brands.
I wonder what it will be like this year? Most wings, kites and foils are made in China. The current ≈200% tariff make it uneconomical for most US consumers to buy gear, as well as retailers to continue to operate.
Will brands want to spend tens of thousands of dollars on an event in a location they can sell gear?
I’m sure the tariff situation will change, but these things take months to organise.
I’d say it will be good for the international visitors. Pay for your trip with some black market foil importing. Maybe we should start our own AuWSI. Hopefully this tariff situation means the Perth foil race week will be bigger than ever this year. 20th to 29th November 2025. 5 downwind races in 10 days. Come downunder and get involved team America.
That’s a pretty good idea. Build an online “gift” registry marketplace add an escrow service. Could be an interesting grey market/ slightly illegal business.
I think many cloth goods are made outside China, so I’m assuming AWSI will be renamed PWSI, the Para Wing Sports Industry and the event will just be 300 competing colorways and pulley diameters.
Perth Western Australia Race Week Dates are locked in for Late November 2025.
There will be other fun social events happening between offical races.
OceanPaddler Entry portal usually available in July for the early bird entry fee. All entrants get GPS timing chips, race shirts and hats, JetSki water safety.
We were thinking about going but we canceled 4 trips in usa(maui/Obx/florida/Oregon). Hard to justify going when all the red flags are there and you don’t listen to them!
I’ve heard good experiences, such as I pay you a beer and sorry for our president to being chased by a truck dangerously with go home you are not welcome.
