TEAM NEWS: MEET BENJAMIN CASTENSKIOLD !

Interview with the U-14 World Champ Race, U-14 vice World Champ Freestyle and new GONG Team Rider !

Hello Benjamin, welcome to the Team! How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hey! I’m Benjamin, I’m turning 14 years old next week and I’m originally from Colombia. I live and ride in La Ventana, Baja California Sur, Mexico. It’s an amazing spot with consistent wind and a super fun community. I’m all about water sports, especially wing foiling, but I also love kiteboarding, and pretty much anything that keeps me active and in the ocean.

When did you start wing foiling?

I started wing foiling in 2022. At first, it was a bit tricky figuring out the balance and how to handle the wing, but I was hooked from the first moment I lifted on the foil. I had done a bit of kiteboarding and windsurfing before, which helped, but wing foiling felt totally new and exciting. I progressed pretty fast because I was on the water almost every day and always pushing myself to try new things.

What would be your advice to young riders getting into wing foiling for the first time?

Start with the right gear, a big stable board and a wing that matches the wind conditions. Don’t worry about tricks at the beginning; just focus on having fun and getting comfortable on the foil. It’s easy to get frustrated, but every session teaches you something. Also, watch videos, ride with people better than you, and don’t be afraid to fall. That’s where the learning happens!

How are the conditions like on your home spot?

La Ventana is an epic spot, super steady winds during the season and beautiful blue water. It’s perfect for learning and progressing. The conditions here really helped me get better quickly because I could ride almost every day in all kinds of wind. It’s also a great place to train freestyle because there’s enough space and you can ride both flat and bumpy water depending on the day.

When was your first competition and how did it go?

My first comp was a youth World Cup event in Oliva Spain in 2022. I was really nervous but also excited to just give it a shot. I didn’t win, but I learned a lot and made new friends. After that, I knew I wanted to keep competing and pushing my limits. Being around other riders really motivated me to train harder.

What was your strongest result so far?

One of my best results so far was Leucate France with my 4th place. It felt like a huge personal win. I had been dreaming of competing at that spot for a long time. That kind of moment reminds me why I love the sport.

What’s your goal in competition?

I want to become one of the best freestyle wing foilers in the world. I’m focusing on technical tricks, combos, and style. smooth landings, and great results working on a few new tricks that will be world-firsts soon. I want to inspire other young riders and show that age doesn’t matter when you’re passionate and work hard.

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What type of sessions motivate you the most right now?

I love freestyle sessions where I’m pushing my limits and trying new tricks. But I also really enjoy just cruising and exploring on the foil. Riding with friends, filming sessions, and getting creative is what keeps me fired up.

What motivated you to join the GONG team?

GONG has a super cool vision. They support young talent, they’re innovative with gear, and the Team is full of people who love progressing the sport. I felt like I could grow a lot with GONG and also contribute my own energy and ideas.

Which GONG gear are you most excited about?

The GONG Ypra Surf Freestyle front wing is one of my favorites; it’s light, powerful, and reacts super fast for tricks. I’m also stoked about the foil range. The speed and control it gives me is exactly what I need for freestyle progression.

What’s your next trip or competition?

Next up is Tarifa, it's a freestyle paradise! I’m also planning to join a GWA Youth event later in the year. I’m training hard and can’t wait to show what I’ve been working on.

Same here! Thanks and good luck for the next events.

Wing foiler : Benjamin, team rider GONG, avec son Hyperloop FSP Pro, Droid Aramid X, mât HM85, aile avant Ypra Surf-Freestyle et stab Ypra Freestyle.