Foil Fest 2026 marked another big step forward for Australia’s growing foil scene, with this year’s event landing in South West Rocks for the first time. Hosted by the NSW Foil Club, it was the fourth edition of Foil Fest and the biggest yet, bringing together more than 100 competitors across a packed weekend of surf foiling, demos and community-driven events.
The event featured both prone and foil assist divisions, alongside a range of exhibitors and product demos. Riders from across Australia converged on the Mid North Coast for a weekend centred around performance, progression and having a great time out on water.
South West Rocks delivered an incredible backdrop, with solid conditions and a strong turnout from riders and spectators.
Like many emerging sports stepping into established surf communities there were a few tensions on and off the water, with isolated incidents including notes left on cars, leashes being cut and tyres being let down. Despite this, the focus across the weekend remained on the event itself, the riding and the community built around it.
For FOLLOW, the weekend was another strong moment in the foiling space. There was genuine interest in our range of wetsuits, built using Oceana neoprene-free natural rubber materials, with riders and customers taking time to understand the difference in feel, performance and purpose when experienced in real conditions. The Follow P1 2/2mm Springy was a soliod choice for many with lots of interest in our Follow FZ 1mmm Wetty top that team rider Josh Ku was wearing. That on-the-beach connection continues to be where the product resonates most.
What stood out most was the community.
Conversations were open and unforced, coming from people who live and breathe these environments and are looking for gear that performs in these conditions. That alignment between product, people and lifestyle is where FOLLOW continues to sit naturally.
On the competition side, FOLLOW was represented across multiple divisions, with several team riders making finals. Josh Ku delivered a standout performance, finishing on the podium in second place after a strong showing through the event.
Foiling in Australia continues to grow quickly and events like Foil Fest highlight how far it’s come with bigger fields, rapid progression and a deeper sense of community each year. We’re stoked to be part of it early and looking forward to what’s next.
Words by the legendary Pete Chell
