Elite windsurfing heads to Portimão: Praia da Rocha hosts the iQFOiL Under-23 World Championship

Praia da Rocha, in Portimão , will host, between September 6th and 13th, the Portimão IQFoil SUB-23 World Championship 2025, which will bring together around 150 athletes.

Organized locally by the Clube Naval de Portimão , the event brings together not only the young windsurfing elite, but also technical teams, families and supporters, totaling more than three hundred people including athletes, coaches, staff, volunteers, partners and sponsors.

Participants from nearly 30 countries are confirmed, including Germany, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Spain, Philippines, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Singapore and Sweden.

Among the names highlighted is Australian Grae Morris, silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

According to the press release, Praia da Rocha is considered a prime location for its consistent Atlantic winds and tactical racing conditions, which “promise to challenge even the most talented athletes.”

The goal is for the best to arrive at Los Angeles 2028 in the best possible shape and in condition to compete in the big event, which is the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

The program kicks off on September 7th, at 6:00 pm, with a parade through the Portimão Riverside Area to the Naval Club, where an athlete representing each participating country will take the stage.

The 6th and 7th are reserved for free practice, with the official competitions starting on September 8th at 12:00 pm in Praia da Rocha and continuing until the 13th. The competition ends with the finals, where the 2025 IqFoil Under-23 World Champion will be decided, and the awards ceremony, scheduled for 6:00 pm that Saturday.

With local venues in areas such as the Clube Naval de Portimão, the Clube Naval de Portimão Marina, and Praia da Marina, the competition takes place on the seafront and next to the Praia da Rocha Sports Area, a structure with the equipment and logistical conditions to host a sporting event of this magnitude.

With open-ocean courses that demand speed, tactical strategy, and adaptability, Praia da Rocha promises to be the stage for intense battles for the U23 world title. The combination of variable breezes and ocean currents will keep the regatta unpredictable, ensuring a thrilling display of iQFOiL's talent at one of Europe's top high-performance sailing destinations.

The organization emphasizes that the choice of Portimão took into account not only the natural conditions of Praia da Rocha, but also the supporting infrastructure, the municipality's international reputation as a nautical destination, and the expected economic impact.

In addition to the sporting aspect, the championship will be broadcast online, with streaming coverage on the iQFOiL Class channels and live broadcasts on YouTube during the last three days of competition.

The event is locally organized by the Clube Naval de Portimão, with the support of the Municipality of Portimão, the Portuguese Sailing Federation, IPDJ-Portugal and Turismo do Algarve.