MCCRAE-BASED windsurfer Lachlan Vize is preparing to compete at the iQFOiL U23 World Championships in Poland later this year.
The championship will take place in Puck, Poland, from 26 September to 3 October and Vize said there will hopefully be a fleet of 80 to 100 competitors.
Vize began sailing as a young child before beginning windsurfing at 15.
“Through windsurfing, I progressed onto a thing called the IQ Foil, which is the Olympic windsurfing class,” said Vize.
“So, I’ve competed on that for the last three or four years now.”
He said he loves the challenge and competitiveness of windsurfing.
“I like the freedom of it,” said Vize.
“I enjoy the speed and the competitiveness of racing and pushing yourself to the limit, and then just being able to get out, fly around on the foil, and have a great time.”
Vize said he is excited to compete on an international stage. He has previously represented Australia at the Pacific Games, competed at the Wingfoil National Championship in New Zealand, and took home the male youth title at the Windsurfer World Titles in 2024 (Sailing to success, The News 26/02/24).
“When I went to New Zealand, I competed against a lot of the New Zealanders, but the Europeans don’t tend to come to Australia,” said Vize.
“So, it’d be an amazing opportunity to race against a lot of people from other countries.”
He said the level of competition will likely be higher than he has experienced before.
“I’m not going over to win, but it’s definitely going to be an experience, and I’ll learn a lot,” said Vize.
He will spend the upcoming months preparing and training before heading to Poland to get used to the local environment.
Vize said he is grateful for the support he has received from McCrae Yacht Club and the members who have become role models to him.
He encourages any young people who are interested to get involved.
“I think windsurfing and water sports are something that it’d be awesome to see more people getting into,” said Vize.
“I think if they reached out to McCrae Yacht Club or their local yacht club, it’d be awesome to see them do that.”
The competition comes at a cost, and Vize is hoping the community will help him achieve his dream of competing internationally.
“It’d be amazing to have any support. Every small amount of money makes a massive difference,” said Vize.
“I’d be really grateful for any support.”
You can help support Vize and his journey to Poland here: asf.org.au/campaigns/lachlan-vize/iqfoil-under23-worlds-2026.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 17 June 2026
