Gibson Island in the Spotlight at the 2025 Chesapeake Windsurfing and Wing Festival!

By Ally Latham

September 6, 2025 — With summer’s golden days drawing to a close, windsurfers from across the East Coast converged on the shores of eastern Maryland for a day of spirited racing, soaring foils, and contagious camaraderie. The festival brought together 26 racers spanning Open Class, Windsurfer LT & Kona divisions, and Wind/Wing Foils, attracting sailors from Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The shoreline was a sight to behold, alive with bright sails and shared stoke.

Gibson Island rolled out perfect late-summer conditions: mid-80s air temperatures, 78°F waters, and steady winds at 8–10 knots, with gusts cracking past 20 knots. Racers danced with the breeze, timing starts with precision and carving clean upwind lines in the challenging, gusty air. The Windsurfer LT fleet was the day’s largest turnout with nine sailors. What stood out most was the interest and enthusiasm the LT generated from other class sailors.

This location, where the Magothy River spills into the Chesapeake Bay, proved nothing short of ideal. Its wide-open reach and reliable winds delivered exhilarating competition across all fleets, while the mingling of classic sailboards, sleek foiling gear, and agile wing rigs created a colorful, kinetic spectacle both on and off the water. Even when storms eventually rolled in, the excitement never dimmed and we were left with a sense that this festival will only grow from here. A heartfelt thanks goes to the race committee, who kept the day running smoothly. Final Results & Pictures from the event can be found linked here.

The Chesapeake Windsurfing / Wing Festival traces its roots back to the Annapolis Windsurfing Festival, launched at Severn Sailing Association in 2019. When Scott Williamson, Jr. Fleet Sailing Director for the Gibson Island Yacht Squadron, recognized the potential of Mountain Point Beaches for windsurfing, windfoiling, and wingfoiling, the event found its new home.

Today, the GIYS Junior Fleet and Team VMG carry that momentum forward, fueling the growth of wind-powered sports on the Magothy River. Here, sailors of all ages and skill levels find a place to race, learn, and share in the joy of harnessing wind and water. Thanks to everyone whose dedication keeps these sports alive and thriving.

Check out uswindsurferclass.com for more upcoming events. See you out on the water!