TEAM NEWS: INTERVIEW WITH THE 2025 FREEFLY-SLALOM WORLD CHAMPION

Bastien Escofet opens up about his season, results, and future ambitions.

Wing foiler: Bastien, GONG team rider, on the Racer FSP Pro, Droid SP Aramid CZ wing, and Ypra Race foil. Photo: GWA

What was your mindset before starting the 2025 season?

I was feeling quite confident. I trained a lot during the winter break and I was fully determined to win the world title.

What did your off-season preparation look like?

I trained really hard. At the beginning of winter, I was in Brazil for the 2025 shooting, where I could enjoy excellent conditions. Then I spent a few weeks in Cape Town with Malo, working on waves and freestyle, which resulted in the Weskaap film. I also took part in several training camps with the French national team just before the first events, so I could arrive at the opening competitions in top shape.

Did you work on any specific skills or techniques for 2025? Any particular equipment?

One of my main goals this season was to become as “symmetrical” as possible in my riding style. I worked a lot on riding switch in the waves in Cape Town, then focused heavily on jibes and pumping on both sides.

We also worked extensively on the gear overall, with a major step forward on the 2026 boards, especially in terms of comfort and agility.

In freestyle, the new Ypra Freestyle foil is incredible, offering powerful pop and a stabilizer that delivers exceptional control. It gives us the confidence to fully commit to tricks. The 2026 Droid wings follow this evolution perfectly, with more power, longer hang time, and impressive rotation capabilities. You only need to watch Benji ride to understand.

In slalom, the new Droid SP Aramid CZ wing clearly gave us an advantage. It is powerful yet comfortable in the high end and extremely effective in heats with unstable, ultra-light, or inconsistent winds, and we had plenty of those this season. We also race on our own foils. We are the only brand competing at the top level with a complete package, wing, board, foil, and mast, that is fully available in the GONG shop. That is worth highlighting.

Wing foiler: Bastien, GONG team rider, on the Racer FSP Pro, Droid SP Aramid CZ wing, and Ypra Race foil. Photo: GWA.

Was the speed there from the very first Slalom event?

Yes, I felt really comfortable with my speed right from the start of the season. After that, I trained a lot more, especially on transitions. These small details may seem insignificant, but in the end, they are what make the difference between winning and losing a heat.

What was the most decisive moment of your Freefly-Slalom season?

In Fuerteventura, I missed first place by very little. I felt extremely comfortable with both the gear and the courses. That second place really boosted my motivation to go after the world title in Abu Dhabi.

Can you tell us more about your training approach? How do you balance Freefly-Slalom, Surf-Freestyle, and Wingfoil Racing?

I don’t really follow a fixed schedule. I mainly adapt based on the conditions and how I feel at the moment. If I stay focused on one discipline for too long, I start to get a bit bored, so I naturally switch. Of course, as competitions approach, I do follow more specific training plans.

How do you mentally prepare before heats?

I start with a warm-up on land that helps me get into my bubble, followed by gear preparation. Simply pumping the wing helps me lock into the heat. Once on the water, I run through my basics. In slalom, I simulate a few starts and complete some full course runs. In freestyle, I land tricks that I know I can stick for about ten minutes before the heat, just to build confidence.

Which race or heat represents your best performance this year?

In freestyle, it was in Leucate when I landed my first Palau Front tricks in competition, I had never tried them before. I felt really strong in that heat.

In racing, it was on the second-to-last day in Jericoacoara. Despite the accumulated fatigue and some pressure to secure second place, I felt great. I had what I consider a perfect day, with no mistakes and full focus from start to finish.

What were the biggest challenges this year?

In slalom, it was clearly Francesco, who was leading the rankings. We had some intense, full-send slalom runs together. Managing the mental pressure of competing for a world title was also a major challenge.

In freestyle, the biggest challenge is staying at the level of the younger riders like Benji, who are truly next level.

Wing foiler: Bastien, GONG team rider, on the Hyperloop FSP Pro, Droid Aramid X wing, HM85 mast, and Ypra Freestyle foil. Photo: GWA.

What do you need to work on to secure wins in racing and freestyle?

In freestyle, I need more consistency. In racing, it’s about refining tactics and making the right decisions at the right time on the course.

That approach clearly paid off in Jericoacoara, where you finished second in Wingfoil Racing.

Yes, I arrived in Jeri without much pressure. I was fifth overall in the rankings, and nothing could really change my position, so I felt relaxed before and during the competition, which allowed me to perform at my best.

We held a short training camp with the French team just before the event. I found great board and foil settings and felt extremely comfortable on the gear. I raced the entire event on a Racer FSP Pro 5’2, Ypra Race 480–135 foil, and Pulse Race wings in 5.0 and 5.5.

I was among the fastest riders at the event, which allowed me to race tactically at the front of the fleet. I started the competition in second place, dropped to third on day three, then regained second place on the penultimate day after staying calm and avoiding costly mistakes. That secured my spot directly in the final.

I’m really proud of my week here in Jeri and of this second-place finish on the race tour, which perfectly caps off a great season.

Wing foiler: Bastien, GONG team rider, on the Racer FSP Pro, Pulse Race wing, and Ypra Race foil. Photo: Wingfoil Racing Tour.

You’ve reached several Surf-Freestyle finals in your career. What do you find most exciting or challenging about this discipline compared to Freefly-Slalom?

In freestyle, it feels more like competing against myself. You need to land the right tricks at the right time. It’s a real mental game, both for yourself and against others. Landing a big trick early in a heat puts immediate pressure on your competitors.

In slalom, you are battling others throughout the entire course, and it really comes down to who is the fastest.

Were there any innovations or pieces of equipment that made a real difference for you in 2025?

The gear works incredibly well as a complete package. The foils are outstanding and allow you to push very hard while staying in control. We also changed the shape of the Racer board, which improved control and comfort significantly. The wings keep getting better every year. The overall setup is extremely solid.

The team dynamic is also amazing. With the GONG team, we try to train together as much as possible, and it pushes everyone to progress. We’re constantly challenging each other to go higher, faster, and bigger in the air.

Wing foilers: Bastien and Francesco, GONG team riders, on the Racer FSP Pro, Droid SP Aramid CZ wing, and Ypra Race foil.

What are your goals for 2026?

I want to defend my slalom world title, reach the podium in racing and waves, and stay among the top riders in freestyle despite the younger generation pushing hard.

What do you do outside of competition?

When I’m in France, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. Between sessions, I focus on physical training and strength work, mainly to prevent injuries. I also practice other water sports like kitesurfing and surfing, basically, I’m always in the water.

What are your plans for the off-season?

I’ll spend a few days back in France and then most likely head to Australia. I’d love to ride proper waves on a wing this winter. Later in the winter, I’ll probably focus on race training either at home or in the Canary Islands.