TEAM NEWS: BENJAMIN CASTENSKIOLD CROWNED 2025 SURF-FREESTYLE WORLD CHA

At only 14 years of age, Benji stuns the world tour with an epic performance that earns him the decisive win in Gran Canaria!

As the GWA announced that Gran Canaria would be the last event of the season, the stakes rose even higher, with four riders still in the hunt for the world title. They would have to fight their way through a field of 23 men, including a super-motivated GONG squad made up of Benjamin Castenskiold, aiming for the title, Malo Guénolé, Bastien Escofet, and Clément Hamon, who arrived ready for this thrilling season finale at the wind-blessed El Burrero.

Benji chaired by his team mates Bastien and Malo.

Quarter finals: setting the pace

In classic Gran Canaria power, riders had seven trick attempts with their best three counting. Benjamin lit up his heat with scores in the excellent range, topping them all with a flawless Frontside 14 for a perfect 10 on his last trick, and posting the event’s standout best heat score of 29.23, punching his ticket to the semis. Malo threw down stylish riding in a razor-tight battle but narrowly missed advancing despite a Palau to FS7 scoring 9.37 on his last attempt.

Wing foiler: Malo, GONG team rider, on his Hyperloop FSP Pro, Droid Aramid X, HM85 mast and Ypra Freestyle foil.

Semi Finals: title pressure

With the World Title on the line, Benjamin stayed ice-cold in Semi Final 1, topping the heat with trademark consistency and booking his place in the last showdown. In Semi Final 2, the reigning champ Chris MacDonald bowed out after a crash on his final attempt, opening the door for Benjamin.

Finals: a Champion is born

Benjamin faced Axel Gerard, Aleks Acherer, and Xavi Corr. Early exchanges were calculated; then the level spiked. Gerard landed an impressive Double Backflip for a 10, but Benjamin’s composure and clean landings kept him in control. When Gerard crashed his last attempt, the path was clear: Benjamin won the event and secured the 2025 GWA Wingfoil Surf-Freestyle World Title — at just 14 years old.

His performance across the event earned him the best heat average of 29.03! An insane heat average that just keeps climbing event after event, underscoring his dominance and consistency on tour. Moments later, he was chaired to the podium by his GONG teammates Bastien Escofet and Malo Guénolé — the latter a previous winner of this same world title in 2022 — in a powerful passing of the torch.

Wing foiler: Benjamin, GONG team rider, on his Hyperloop FSP Pro, Droid Aramid X, HM85 mast and Ypra Freestyle foil.

Pride for the whole GONG Team

We’re buzzing for Benjamin’s historic title and equally proud of Malo, Bastien, and Clément for representing GONG with style and grit. The depth in our team is real — and the future is bright. We want to congratulate them all for their commitment this season and our staff for providing them with next-level gear, logistics, and support!

For this event, our team was riding the Hyperloop FSP Pro, Droid Aramid X, HM85 masts and Ypra Freestyle foils.

We’re all looking forward to the next GWA event on the Freefly-Slalom tour in Abu Dhabi, taking place from October 25 to November 2, where Francesco and Bastien, currently ranked 1 and 2, will be competing for another World Title for the team.