Following discussions within the PWA Management Board and consultation with the Race Committee, we would like to inform you of the approved Slalom rule updates for the 2026 season.
These adjustments are designed to reduce rider costs, simplify logistics, and maintain balanced and fair competition across both Foil and Fin disciplines.
1. Foil Slalom Equipment Limits (Foil-only events)
To reduce expenses and create a more level playing field, the following limits will apply at all foil-only Slalom events from January 1st, 2026:
Sails: Reduced to 3 sails
Foil set: Reduced to 1 mast, 2 front wings, 2 back wing & 2 fuselages
The maximum foil sail size will be reduced to 8.0 m?
A temporary tolerance of 0.5 m? for foil sails will apply in 2026 to allow brands and riders time to adapt to these changes
These limits are intended to simplify equipment management while keeping competition close and affordable.
2. Equipment Registration - Slalom X (Fin-only events)
To provide greater flexibility for riders and accommodate a wider range of wind conditions while maintaining cost efficiency, the following new limits will apply for Slalom X:
Sails: 4 fin sails per rider per year, with a maximum of 3 per event
Boards: 3 fin boards per rider per year, with a maximum of 2 per event
The maximum fin sail size will be set to 8.5 m?
This adjustment responds directly to sailors' requests, offering ample choice and flexibility for fin-only events while keeping logistics under control.
With the additional board and sail, we are aiming to make fin racing possible from as low as 12-16 knots, particularly at lighter-wind venues.
This configuration will serve as a test model for 2026, and if successful, similar regulations may be extended to foil sails from 2027 onwards.
3. NEW Combined Foil & Fin Events (max. sail size remain same as Foil/Fin-only events)
At events where both Foil and Fin Slalom are run as part of a new combined format (separate racing, same event), the foil gear allowance will be further reduced to encourage efficiency and versatility:
Foil gear: Maximum of 2 sails + 1 board, + 1 Foil set consisting of 1 mast , 2 front wings, 1 back wing + 1 fuselage
Fin gear/event: Maximum of 3 sails + 2 boards
Total combined quiver: 2 foil sails + 3 fin sails + 1 foil board + 2 fin boards
Wind range transition guide: Racing will switch from Foil to Fin (Slalom X) between 15 - 17 knots.
4. Combined vs. Foil-Only Event Planning
For 2026, all European stand-alone racing events should aim to be combined Foil & Fin events wherever possible and viable, provided that the PWA has the financial capacity to support these formats if required.
Europe provides the ideal testing ground to refine this combined event model before expanding globally in 2027, thanks to its logistical accessibility and rider concentration.
5. Rankings and World Titles
For 2026, the PWA will maintain:
A separate ranking for Foil and Fin Slalom.
An overall (unofficial) combined world title & ranking will be introduced, recognising performance across both disciplines.
6. Future Developments
Looking ahead, the PWA is working toward:
Introducing lower-tier and regional events to strengthen the development pathway for new racers.
Enhancing collaboration with IFCA to create greater alignment across international Slalom formats.
Continuing to refine event formats and media delivery to make racing more engaging for fans and partners.
Additionally, the PWA will introduce a men's weight-based ranking for analytical purposes:
Under 80 kg
Over 80 kg
This ranking will serve as an informational classification only; all race results, prize money, and official PWA points will remain based on the disciplines event results.
For women, the standard disciplines ranking will continue to apply without separate divisions.
7. Production Rules and Commercial Availability
Production rules remain unchanged.
However, if a product is proven to be unrivalled in performance, the brand must comment that the same quantity supplied to its riders is also made available for purchase for other competitors.
This ensures fair access to competitive equipment and transparency between manufacturers and riders.
8. Equipment Registration Deadlines
Brands: Equipment registration deadline remains December 15th, 2025.
All brands must submit their registered equipment lists by this date for approval ahead of the 2026 season.
Riders: Equipment registration will take place at the first event each rider competes in during the 2026 season.
We hope these updates and clarifications provide clear direction for all stakeholders as we continue to evolve professional Slalom racing.
These collective adjustments aim to make the sport more sustainable, balanced, and exciting for both competitors and fans.
yes -- posted it elsewhere a few days ago, but deserves a separate thread.
imho this is going in the right direction, especially the mixed events (with more stringent restrictions on foil gear & an indicative cut-off to fin) and the (aspiration for more) regional/lower-tier events. also positive: the overall combined title and a weight ranking (albeit both 'unofficial').
some interesting bits, like the reference to 'commercial availability', and the 'temporary tolerance' for foil sails.
the proof of the pudding etc...., so we'll see but fingers crossed for more and diverse racing in 2026!
Thanks for sharing, very interesting and surely some good changes.
I like the trial with the weight categories!
"if a product is proven to be unrivalled in performance, the brand must comment that the same quantity supplied to its riders is also made available for purchase for other competitors."
Haha, I can only imagine this refers to Patrik foils.
I Think the weight limit should be 85 kg, and that is not because I am around 83kg 
Select to expand quoteKasper79 said..
I Think the weight limit should be 85 kg, and that is not because I am around 83kg
Is there anyone even on the PWA who is under 80kg? If so I would be checking their vests for lead
Select to expand quoteSeanAUS120 said..
Is there anyone even on the PWA who is under 80kg?
No, and that's exactly the point!
This would open up competition for guys that do not want to pump up their body weight.
A weight limit is positive evolution but imho even better would be a max sail size of 8 m2, just like the IQ class.
Select to expand quoteBellerophon said..
A weight limit is positive evolution but imho even better would be a max sail size of 8 m2, just like the IQ class.
PWA is going to move to 8.0m max from 2027 apparently. Still 9.0m for 2026....Boards will be 95cm width as well so you can run an IQfoil board if you want.
Select to expand quoteBellerophon said..
A weight limit is positive evolution but imho even better would be a max sail size of 8 m2, just like the IQ class.
I fail to understand how that is a positive evolution. I think that if large sails are faster in light winds riders should be able to use them. IQ is a one design class and can't be compared to PWA where you can choose any foil size you want. Lighter riders can just pick smaller foils and still be very competitive.
Also the 2 front wing limit is just ridiculous while they allow 3 fin boards... a front wing is the cheapest way to maximize wind range imo. They already had this rule in the 2023 season and it didn't really have a positive effect. Downsizing to 2 wings will just cause manufacturers to develop new sizes which means new gear, higher cost.
Select to expand quotefoilsurfR said..Bellerophon said..
A weight limit is positive evolution but imho even better would be a max sail size of 8 m2, just like the IQ class.
I fail to understand how that is a positive evolution. I think that if large sails are faster in light winds riders should be able to use them. IQ is a one design class and can't be compared to PWA where you can choose any foil size you want. Lighter riders can just pick smaller foils and still be very competitive.
Also the 2 front wing limit is just ridiculous while they allow 3 fin boards... a front wing is the cheapest way to maximize wind range imo. They already had this rule in the 2023 season and it didn't really have a positive effect. Downsizing to 2 wings will just cause manufacturers to develop new sizes which means new gear, higher cost.
I understand your point, but the issue with ever-larger sails goes beyond pure performance optimization.
When sail sizes increase, riders are effectively forced[/i] to gain weight in order to remain competitive - and not necessarily in a healthy way. Some will add muscle, others fat, (or even ballast), just to reach a body mass that can handle and trim such big rigs efficiently.That evolution doesn't promote athleticism in the true sense of the word, which is about power-to-weight ratio and technical skill[/b], not absolute body mass. A sport where competitiveness requires you to weigh 100 kg - far above what is healthy or realistic for 99.9% of the population - is moving away from its athletic roots and becoming a contest of size rather than ability.Setting a maximum sail size[/b] ensures that performance is determined by fitness, technique, and efficiency rather than by body weight. It keeps the class accessible, fair, and representative of a healthy, athletic discipline instead of rewarding unnatural or unsafe weight gain.
The "two front wings" rule is not really about costs or fairness - it's part of a long pattern within the PWA of trying to artificially balance foiling and fin racing.
For years, the tour has been trying to keep both disciplines alive in one format, mostly by restricting
foils[/i] so that traditional fin setups don't disappear completely.This has very little to do with equipment expense or accessibility. It's mainly about preserving the old order. Many of the established, heavier, older riders built their careers and sponsorships around fin racing and understandably fear being outclassed by younger, lighter foilers. At the same time, several manufacturers have invested decades in fin development and want to keep monetizing that legacy gear rather than embracing a fast-moving technical evolution that would make most of it obsolete.Instead of limiting innovation, the sport should recognize that foiling represents a genuine technological step forward - faster, more efficient, and more inclusive across wind ranges. Artificially capping progress just delays the inevitable and prevents the sport from showcasing its full potential.
Select to expand quoteBellerophon said..foilsurfR said..Bellerophon said..
A weight limit is positive evolution but imho even better would be a max sail size of 8 m2, just like the IQ class.
I fail to understand how that is a positive evolution. I think that if large sails are faster in light winds riders should be able to use them. IQ is a one design class and can't be compared to PWA where you can choose any foil size you want. Lighter riders can just pick smaller foils and still be very competitive.
Also the 2 front wing limit is just ridiculous while they allow 3 fin boards... a front wing is the cheapest way to maximize wind range imo. They already had this rule in the 2023 season and it didn't really have a positive effect. Downsizing to 2 wings will just cause manufacturers to develop new sizes which means new gear, higher cost.
I understand your point, but the issue with ever-larger sails goes beyond pure performance optimization.
When sail sizes increase, riders are effectively forced[/i] to gain weight in order to remain competitive - and not necessarily in a healthy way. Some will add muscle, others fat, (or even ballast), just to reach a body mass that can handle and trim such big rigs efficiently.That evolution doesn't promote athleticism in the true sense of the word, which is about power-to-weight ratio and technical skill[/b], not absolute body mass. A sport where competitiveness requires you to weigh 100 kg - far above what is healthy or realistic for 99.9% of the population - is moving away from its athletic roots and becoming a contest of size rather than ability.Setting a maximum sail size[/b] ensures that performance is determined by fitness, technique, and efficiency rather than by body weight. It keeps the class accessible, fair, and representative of a healthy, athletic discipline instead of rewarding unnatural or unsafe weight gain.
The "two front wings" rule is not really about costs or fairness - it's part of a long pattern within the PWA of trying to artificially balance foiling and fin racing.
For years, the tour has been trying to keep both disciplines alive in one format, mostly by restricting
foils[/i] so that traditional fin setups don't disappear completely.This has very little to do with equipment expense or accessibility. It's mainly about preserving the old order. Many of the established, heavier, older riders built their careers and sponsorships around fin racing and understandably fear being outclassed by younger, lighter foilers. At the same time, several manufacturers have invested decades in fin development and want to keep monetizing that legacy gear rather than embracing a fast-moving technical evolution that would make most of it obsolete.Instead of limiting innovation, the sport should recognize that foiling represents a genuine technological step forward - faster, more efficient, and more inclusive across wind ranges. Artificially capping progress just delays the inevitable and prevents the sport from showcasing its full potential.
I feel like you missed my point. Sail sizes do not have to increase. Let heavier riders have bigger sails if they want to. Lighter riders can still sail with smaller sails. It's obviusly clear that being taller and heavier is an advantage but I do not think imposing limitations is a solution. That is like saying they should lower all basketball rims so shorter people would have a chance. Weight classes make more sense but it's unrealistic due to budgets and small number of competitors per event. Also weight is not always an advantage. Being heavier makes gybes more challenging and you're more likely to drop from the foil if you're on a small wing and the wind drops.
I 100% agree about what you said the two front wing rule is for. It's become a trend to revive fin windsurfing. I'm sure brands prefer selling 3 slalom boards instead of 1 foil board each year.
Select to expand quoteSeanAUS120 said..
Boards will be 95cm width as well so you can run an IQfoil board if you want.
Thats a good idea as it might encourage IQ Foilers to have a go at a PWA event, even if only at 1 local event for them in a year.
For years PWA sailors were banned/discouraged from IWT events, but eventually they came to an agreement and its better for everyone.
