TEAM NEWS : PRE-SEASON INTERVIEW WITH BENJAMIN CASTENSKIOLD

2025 Surf-Freestyle World Champion Benjamin Castenskiold sets the tone for 2026!

Just a few days before the start of the new season, we caught up with the young Danish rider ahead of the Mondial du Vent in Leucate, where the 2026 GWA Surf-Freestyle World Tour kicks off in the legendary Tramontana winds.

Benjamin, 2025 world champion at just 14, has it sunk in yet? How has life changed since that title?

Yeah I mean World champion at 14 is a dream come true for me and to be honest I still can't believe it especially since my life has had quite a change since the title .

Coming into Leucate as defending champion, does your mindset feel different this year?

Coming into Leucate this year my mindset will be the same as always to win and have as much fun as possible during the process.

What have you been up to during the off-season? Any major focus areas in your training?

During the off season I have been training in La ventana Mexico same as every year but some major focus areas during this off season have been flips specially double front flips .

Did you take time to disconnect, or were you straight back into training and progression?

When I first got back I actually didn't take any time but that's because for me training isn't really training, it's having fun and I always wanna have fun .

Have you been working on any specific new tricks or combinations we should watch out for?

I have been training Double fronts , Palau backflips and palau 1080s which are all very complicated tricks.

Wing foiler: Benjamin, GONG team rider, with a Hyperloop FSP Pro, Droid Aramid X wing , HM85 mast,Ypra Freestyle V3 front wign and stab.

Have you made any changes to your gear setup this year?

No, I haven’t changed anything since the last competition, where I was already riding the 2026 range. I was already benefiting from the latest developments, like the recessed deck for example. What I’m using right now is just perfect for my riding style and my weight.

What’s your competition setup?

For freestyle, I always ride the Hypeloop. I use the 4’6, which is 65L. It’s ultra responsive, with zero inertia, and the landings are so easy. On foil, the pop and re-pop of the Ypra Freestyle let me go really big and link combos. And then there’s the hang time of the Droid Aramid X and its ability to pivot on the spot. The control is amazing. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

How much of a difference do you think equipment will make in 2026?

I feel like gear is second to the most important thing apart from the rider obviously but if you don't have the right gear that's made to win it makes it very hard to push your limits especially in competition.

Wing foiler: Benjamin, GONG team rider, with a wing Droid Aramid X.

Which riders are you most looking forward to seeing perform this season, and why?

I don't have a singular rider in mind. I am curious to see how all the riders are going to perform in this next stage of competition.

Who do you see as your biggest challengers for the title in 2026?

My biggest challenger this year would have to be either one of the Archerer Twins or Chris Macdonald. And I am quite excited to see them compete because of how little the skill gap is between them.

Are there any younger riders coming up that people should keep an eye on?

I mean there are a lot of younger riders who are on the rise but the one that I see whose level is skyrocketing is Malick Pagnotti, he is one everyone should really keep an eye on.

On the women’s side, who are you most excited to watch this year?

In the women's division I am most excited to watch Ava Segersten and Marie Schlittenbauer because of the heights they can reach when performing super complicated tricks .

Wing foiler : Ava, team rider GONG, en HIPE Pro, Droid Aramid, mât HM85, front wing et stab Ypra Freestyle V3.

Who do you think are the favorites for the women’s title?

For the womens title this year i think the favorites are Nia suardiaz and Marie Schlittenbauer with both being previous world champions they know exactly what they have to do to get that gold.

Do you see the level progressing differently in the women’s field compared to the men’s?

I feel like the level in the women's side is definitely progressing slower compared to the men but their level is still really crazy especially in the last year with Marie joining the tour she brought combos, handle passes and new flips to the women's division.

Which stops on the calendar are you most excited to return to?

The spot I am the most excited to compete in on this year's tour has to be in El Burrero Gran Canaria. I just love this spot because of its nuking wind and crazy swell.

Are there any spots where you feel you have unfinished business?

One of the spots I feel like I need to redeem myself has to be Leucate France since last year my performance wasn't very good at this spot making 4th place. This year I really want to push myself to the max at this spot and hopefully make that 1st place.

How does Leucate compare to other stops in terms of conditions and strategy?

Leucate is by far the windiest spot on the tour with winds reaching 50 + knots. It's a pretty extreme spot but it also has this smooth flat water which is perfect for fast takeoffs.

Have you been briefed on any new GWA rules for 2026?

No, there hasn't been any briefing yet. From my understanding the judges want to see high technical tricks with amplitude. For the 2026 season I think winning is going to come down to who will risk it the most and who will go the biggest.

Wing foiler : Benjamin, team rider GONG, en Hyperloop FSP Pro, wing Droid Aramid X, mât HM85, front wing et stab Ypra Freestyle V3.

What kind of runs or moves will separate the top riders from the rest?

The moves that will separate who wins and who doesn't this year will have to be Double front flips , Palau backflips , Palau 1080s and double backflips .

This year I will definitely be going for those. I’ll be sending riskier tricks and having riskier strategies too.

Being the youngest world champion ever, do you feel more pressure this season?

I actually don't feel any difference since becoming world champion so for me i don't feel any extra pressure at all. Expectations for me don't really make any difference because I know what I have to do and if I lose I will still be happy because I know that I tried my hardest.

And finally, what would make this season a success for you, beyond just results?

For this season to be a success for me would be winning all the stops but also having fun and enjoying the process.

That’s what matters most, and all we wish for you in 2026! See you in Leucate in a few days with the GONG Team.