ICOMIA Technical Director Patrick Hemp had the privilege of joining the global foiling community in Genoa, Italy, for the 3rd World Foiling Congress and 9th Foiling Awards on Tuesday, 17 and Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
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Certification Focused Panel Discussions
Hemp was participating in panel discussions focused on certification, compliance and safety requirements. These sessions addressed essential topics such as insurance and liability, aiming to ensure that foiling remains both innovative and safe for all involved.
As a founding member of the Certification Advisory Board—chaired by Klaus Röder (Carpe Diem Yacht Design) and supported by expert knowledge from Ulrich Heinemann (Heinemann Yacht Assessment) and Adam Greene (HPiVS)—ICOMIA was able to provide updates on the RCD (Recreational Craft Directive) evaluation process, the development of standards and specifications, as well as advancements in new technologies recently discussed at IMO (International Maritime Organization) for larger yachts. These developments are vital for maintaining high safety and compliance standards within the industry and we look forward to finalising our Risk Assessment guidance in collaboration with HPiVS.
eFoiling Focus
In a separate panel discussion moderated by ICOMIA, attention turned to eFoiling activities. Katja Berkhout (Fliteboard Europe), Julian Jesson (Ropner Insurance), Ulrich Heinemann (Heinemann Yacht Assessment) and Jacob Algurén-Laager (Ride Awake) shared valuable insights on data collection, rider awareness and industry best practices, helping shape a safer and more informed environment for all participants.
A big thanks goes to Luca Rizzotti and The Foiling Organisation for their efforts, and congratulations to all the Award winners.
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