TEAM NEWS: MALO ON THE PODIUM IN CAPE VERDE!

The updated GWA Wave rules showcase the rising performance levels at the sole 2025 event!

After last year’s thrilling competition, where Malo secured a win in epic conditions, anticipation was high for the athletes' return to Cape Verde’s iconic wave.

Even more so with this year’s major rule change, permitting the use of the wing to launch airs and tricks above the lip. This adjustment allowed athletes to fully express the sport’s potential in wave riding.

From the very start, the title hopefuls put on a show with massive airs and sharp slashes while holding the wing, adding to what still weighs the most in the judges' scoring: smooth and committed free-fly surfing.

Wingfoiler: Malo, GONG team rider, with a Lethal FSP Pro, Droid Aramid X, HM85 mast, Fluid H front wing and Surf-Freestyle stab. Photo: GWA.

Usual suspects

In quality conditions, though not as spectacular as last year’s, the favorites stood out from the first round, posting the highest scores of the event. Cash Berzolla set the tone early, scoring 17.03 points in his opening heat with his trademark loose and aggressive style—now fully unleashed under the updated rule set. In a heat with fewer waves rolling through, Malo played it smart, qualifying with smooth, committed surfing on the most critical sections. Finn Spencer, 2024’s world No. 3, also made a statement with sharp combos, reminding last year’s finalists that he’s a serious contender.

Wingfoiler: Malo, GONG team rider, with a Lethal FSP Pro, Droid Aramid X, HM85 mast, Fluid H front wing and Surf-Freestyle stab.

Semifinals, small final, and final

The last four contenders include the 2024 world’s top three—Cash, Malo, and Finn—along with Liam Coralle, who edged out Axel Gerard in the quarterfinals. Even though Axel pulled off the event’s first backflip on a standout wave, the outcome reinforced a key takeaway: pure surfing still carries the most weight in the judges' final scores.

Malo and Finn Spencer go head-to-head in the first semifinal. Malo starts with two smaller waves, using them to get into rhythm with some warm-up turns. But once he finds a solid set wave, he unleashes his full repertoire—powerful rail turns, drifting foil slashes, and sold airs above the lip. The performance earned him a 9.07, giving him the advantage midway through the heat, which he extended with a 7.27 shortly after. Finn responded with his signature style, laying down long, flowing carves and finishing with precise off-the-lip turns for an 8.00.

With Malo seemingly set for the win, Finn, after spending several minutes paddling back out following a wipeout, found himself in the right place for an unexpected set wave with just 20 seconds to go. Rising to the occasion, he surfed his best wave of the event at the most critical moment and stole the victory by the slimmest margin—just 0.06 points over Malo.

A huge disappointment for Malo, but he responded in the best possible way—delivering the event’s standout performance in the small final. He posted the highest wave score of the contest (9.50) and the best overall heat total (17.57), taking the win over Liam, who had just been knocked out by Cash.

In the final, Cash quickly took the lead with two 8-point waves, seemingly on his way to an easy victory. Spencer answered back with a 7.6 and an 8.0, keeping the tension high until the closing seconds. But the Canadian fell just short of Cash’s 16.20, confirming the American’s title with this decisive victory.

Whyte and Suardiaz

As the sun set, the women’s final featured a showdown between Moona Whyte and Nia Suardiaz. Nia set the tone early with a solid 8.07-point wave, quickly gaining the upper hand. Moona had trouble finding the right waves at the start, and although she created chances late in the heat, it wasn’t enough to catch Nia. With smooth, stylish surfing, Nia fully embraced the new rule allowing aerial tricks, securing an outstanding 17.04 total score and clinching the 2025 GWA Wingfoil Wave world title.