ICOMIA and The Foiling Organization form global partnership

ICOMIA and The Foiling Organization have formed a strategic partnership intended to support the global boating sector as hydrofoiling becomes more widely used.

The agreement was signed by Joe Lynch, CEO of ICOMIA, and Luca Rizzotti, president of The Foiling Organization.

ICOMIA represents the recreational boating industry, while The Foiling Organization brings together the international foiling community and promotes hydrofoiling across racing, cruising and commercial activity.

Global interest in foiling is growing, and the industry is reacting. Earlier this year, The Foiling Organization confirmed it is planning to establish a new annual event dedicated to foiling technology in partnership with the Italian Marine Industry Association (Confindustria Nautica).

ICOMIA and The Foiling Organization

The strategic partnership between ICOMIA and The Foiling Organization sets out six areas of focus. These include developing harmonised safety standards, producing shared industry data, publishing a white paper on energy consumption and comfort relating to foiling, and creating training for professionals. The organisations also plan to increase visibility through selected events and work with national marine associations to map global adoption.

The agreement is structured to clarify how foiling works, how safety standards can be maintained and how adoption can progress. Both organisations say they intend to provide companies, regulators and professionals with a clearer framework as the technology becomes more common. The collaboration also aims to support new projects and highlight the role foiling may play in future marine developments.

In 2026 the partners plan to produce their first joint Foiling Market Report, publish the aforementioned white paper and begin coordinated engagement with national marine associations. They aim to provide detailed tools and guidance within 12 months to support wider adoption.

World’s first 28m private foiling yacht announced

UAE-based brand Foiler has launched Ghost, a 28-metre private foiling yacht, the world’s first, at the Abu Dhabi International Boat…

November 21st, 2025

• Superyacht

Joe Lynch, CEO of ICOMIA, says: “The Foiling Organization and ICOMIA have always been supportive of one another. Through this strategic partnership, we can now formally collaborate on the development of standards, promoting wider understanding of the many economic and environmental benefits that foiling can deliver to our industry. I am excited about the many additional benefits that this partnership will bring to our respective members.”

Luca Rizzotti, president of The Foiling Organization, adds: “This partnership gives the foiling sector the clarity and support it needs to grow. Working with ICOMIA will speed up standards, training and adoption worldwide. It also gives our community a stronger global platform and a direct connection to decision-makers and each National Member Organisation, shaping the future of the marine industry. Together, we can help foiling evolve with more structure, more data and more long-term vision.”

Foiling has been a growing agenda at industry events.

A foiling feature joined the lineup at the Southampton International Boat Show in 2024, and organisers of boot Düsseldorf joined forces with The Foiling Organization to create a Foiling World in 2025. The first World Foiling Congress took place in Italy in April 2024. Metstrade partnered with The Foiling Organization to bring a new Foiling Technology Pavilion (FTP) to the trade show in 2023.