SF Paddle Challenge, 1st Downwind SUP Foil Race in California
For the first time ever, we hosted a fully sanctioned downwind SUP foil race — 10 miles across the unpredictable, high-wind & waters of San Francisco Bay.
This past weekend marked something special: California’s first official downwind SUP foil race. A 10-mile course at the intersection of a pristine waterway and a city waterfront - starting at Crissy Field, crossing between Alcatraz and Angel Islands, and finishing in Berkeley. Full safety and support from 5 boats, a talented roster of riders, and a finish line that brought together stoke, speed, and community.
This was a huge success for a first year event in a sport as niche as downwind sup-foiling - 20 unassisted finishers completing the FULL 10-mile course in under 90 minutes. Furthermore we had 6 foilers compete in the SPRINT division - which covers the best section of the course - 4 miles of clean wind-swell stretching from Treasure Island to HS Lordships.
While our sport has focused on hotspots like Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand - there has also been a passionate dw-foil community building quietly across the West Coast for years. Last year a grassroots showdown in Pismo Beach was held between NorCal / SoCal in early 2024 summer. Building on that momentum NorCal held an official race on Saturday, June 07 2025 - with many of the early Bay Area downwind pioneers in attendance.
Riders traveled in from throughout the West Coast (SoCal, Santa Cruz, Portland, Seattle), with some arriving days early to train and study the course. The energy across the week was enthusiastic and stoked: part regatta, part foil-festival, and part proving-ground for a sport that’s rapidly leveling up.
Conditions: Classic San Francisco Bay at Full Strength
We couldn’t have asked for a better day. The SF Bay delivered a clean 15–20+ knot breeze across the full course, with a clear horizon framing racers against the vibrant, colorful San Francisco skyline. 30 minutes before the start, you could even see some whale’s spouting near Anita Rock.
The race started technical: lighter swell made paddle-ups tricky, and cross-chop near Alcatraz challenged even the most dialed-in riders.
But once past Treasure Island, the water cleaned up and the run turned into a full-speed, straight-downwind runway — fast, forgiving, and gloriously clean bay conditions.
Early Drama, Late Moves, and a Podium of Heavy Hitters
🏁 1st – Cole Wiley
Cole took control early. After popping up in second off the line, he passed NorCal pioneer Nick Weighall at the 2-3 minute mark, when Nick had a brief fall (his only touch down of the race). Cole held the lead from there, locking in a 13+ mph average pace and creating a four-minute gap on the field. Flawless line. Ruthless tempo. First place in 41 minutes. Clearly his relentless training in the similar Seattle conditions paid off. He plans to race again in this year’s Molokai to Oahu race. 👀
🏁 2nd – John Subranni
One of the most impressive comebacks of the day. Subranni struggled to get flying off the start line and started his race in ~15th place. But anyone who is familiar with his wing race resume know that he is a favorite - and as he passed Alcatraz he had advanced to mid fleet. With a clean, fast, and steady pace, he overtook two pioneers of Bay Area down-winding scene near Treasure Island (Nick Weighall and Kyle Pemberton), and overtook Matt Costa by Berkeley Pier - surging into second place. No falls. Maximum efficiency.
🏁 3rd – Matt Costa (@foil.me.harder)
A great mind in foiling and a leader in the SoCal downwind community, Matt rode smart and strong the entire way. He sat in the Top-5 five throughout, navigated the course beautifully, and locked in a well-deserved third place.
SPRINT Race Recap: A Photo Finish between Aron and Erik, and a special distinction for Mandy!
🏁 1st – Erik McGregor
Cheered across the line by local legend Andrew Sullivan of the SFBA, Erik made tidy work of the inaugural Treasure Island to Lordships sprint. Not only did he take the win — he also pulled off a feat no one else managed: winging back to the start and retrieving his own vehicle post-race. Respect.
🏁 2nd – Aron Andersson
From a slow start off the line, Aron battled hard to stay on foil and close the gap on Erik along the fast & clean sprint course. In the final 300 meters, Erik spotted Aron charging — and responded with a fierce paddle-pump rally that held him just out of reach. Aron gave everything he had, pushing to the point of exhaustion and needing one final paddle-up to cross the finish line. A gutsy, all-out effort from both racers.
🏁 3rd – Mandy McGregor
Mandy pulled double duty on Saturday — securing third place overall in the sprint and standing out as the only woman to compete in the inaugural race weekend. Big energy, clean lines, and a great finish. We hope to see many more following her lead.
Sponsors That Show Up — On and Off the Water
We’re beyond grateful for the support from brands who not only backed this particular race, but continue to invest in downwind foiling itself — even as it remains a niche but growing sport.
Armstrong, Axis, Boardsports, F-One-Manera and Lift — thank you for your commitment. Not just to this event, but the sport as a whole is what makes it fun, sustainable, competitive, and safe. If you are just getting started - this should be your shortlist of brands so deeply committed to down-winding. And if you are a brand, this inaugural fleet should be a great target for ambassadors and athletes.
Special thanks to Lift for providing a 110 Florence X to 1st place, and a 130 Florence X to 2nd place. Also thank you to FOne-Manera for donating the Offshore Vest and Deflater Bag for our 3rd place main-prize, as well as other accessories to recognize other racers & volunteers.
Acknowledgments: This Race Was Built by Many Hands
This event wouldn’t have happened without the huge contributions of people behind the scenes — both those we actively recruited, and many who reached out organically/proactively to help (Lodewyk with still photography, and Steve Pugh on the Protector).
Organizers
Jordan Factor & David Bloch – Co-organizers
Toby Butterfield – Traveled from Portland to help lead race-week logistics
Race Ops & Safety
Erin Loscocco, David Hermele, Andrew Sullivan – Timing, scorekeeping, safety check-ins
Timmy Gee, Brandon Green, Liz Ruggieri, Johne Chandler, Steve Pugh – Boat support and on-water safety
Media & Content
Jeron Silva (@JPSFilmsSF) – Race film & video coverage on the course
Lodewyk Steyn – On-land photography & video
Weather
Aidan Mobley – Mid-to-sort term forecasting
Hospitality & Coordination
Michelle DeLeon – Coordinating event setup
Graeme Lowe & Berkeley Yacht Club – Venue support & partnership
Advisors & Supporters
David Wells – Mentorship, race guidance, and promotion
SFBA Leadership – Ongoing community support and advocacy
Thank you — every one of you — you helped make this possible and safe.
Epilogue: My First SUP Foil Race
Behind the scenes, I was one of the organizers. But out on the water? This was actually my very first SUP foil race - it was humbling and motivating all at once.
I came in just under 60 minutes, and while I was thrilled to finish, I’ve already got notes for myself (bigger foil?), especially as I gear up for this season’s Hawaii downwind circuit where my main goal is simply a successful crossing.
But racing with this group, in these conditions, was unforgettable. It reminded me what this sport is really about — challenge, adventure, progression, and community. Very heartened to see new face-to-face connection and friendships forged in a sport that has relied heavily on digital organizing for exchanging ideas.
And we’re just getting started.
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Thanks for reading — and stay tuned for a video from @jpsfilmssf. If you were part of the weekend and have feedback or media to share, I’d love to hear from you.
– Andy Forquer | Race Director
