Foil Life Podcast by SFT

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. 

In this exciting episode, we sit down with Benji, the newly crowned wing foiling world champion, and Tom Hartmann, to discuss Benji’s incredible rise in the sport. Broadcasting from different corners of the world, we dive into Benji’s journey, the evolution of wing foiling, and the vibrant community pushing the sport to new heights.
  • From Rookie to Champion: Benji shares his meteoric rise to the 2025 world title in his first full year on the GWA tour. Training with former world champion Chris MacDonald Jr in La Ventana, Mexico, Benji’s determination and skill led to a standout performance at Gran Canaria’s El Burrero, where perfect conditions and huge kickers fueled his victory.
  • Mastering the Art of Freestyle: Benji and Tom break down the high-flying, stylish Palau combinations that dominated the tour, with Benji’s clean, massive tricks—like the Palau front flip—earning top scores. Tom highlights the sport’s progression, from mobes to double flips, and the push for height and power over technicality.
  • The Gran Canaria Arena: Tom paints a vivid picture of El Burrero, a new gem on the GWA tour with consistent winds and ideal kickers. The spot’s setup, with spectators close to the action on a pier, made it a perfect stage for Benji’s championship-winning performance.
  • Gear Matters: Benji credits his switch to Gong gear for its phenomenal hang time, emphasizing the critical role of equipment in competition. From wings to foils, having the right setup for conditions like Gran Canaria’s 30-35 knots was key to his success.
  • Community and Competition: Tom celebrates the growth of wing foiling, spotlighting the women’s freestyle scene, led by talents like Marie, and the influx of young riders. Benji reflects on the camaraderie and rivalry with competitors like the Ajar brothers, pushing each other to go bigger.
  • Looking Ahead: With his sights set on defending his title, Benji shares his plans to return to La Ventana in November and aim for “at least ten” championships. Tom hints at potential judging tweaks to encourage trick variety, promising an even more thrilling 2026 season.
Join us for an action-packed conversation filled with insights into wing foiling’s cutting edge, the thrill of competition, and the passion driving its global community. Benji’s story is a testament to hard work, fearless commitment, and the joy of soaring through the air.

Visit: https://www.instagram.com/wingfoilworldtour & https://www.instagram.com/benjamincastenskiold_07/

Creators and Guests

Host
Luc Moore
I started windsurfing in 2012, a year after my brother and I visited Kauai, Hawaii. In 2009 I was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident that required two intensive surgeries to stabilize my pelvis. Three years later, I was still heavily engaged in rehab, but I had been cleared to walk by my orthopedic surgeon, so we finally decided to visit the islands. My brother had just started windsurfing, so we started looking online for gear for him, and we came across a woman selling late her husband's equipment. She recounted to us that his life had been spent on the ocean. As a pro windsurfer, his love and passion for the sport were undeniable. At that point, I thought I could try this sport and carry on his legacy of love for the water and wind if I worked hard enough. Initially, I couldn't ride with my harness on without experiencing terrible low back pain. I was terrified of the water, knew nothing about wind, and if I got moving at any speed, scenes of my accidents would replay in my mind, which lasted for years. It took a lot of work to differentiate fact from fiction. To add to this mess of emotions, numerous specialists and acquaintances had repeatedly told me that I was now broken. I could never jog pain-free again, let alone enjoy pain-free sports. They told me to accept that as my truth and to move on. My mom and brother helped me keep going as our shared passions, and family support helped me overcome obstacles. The pure joy I felt with my continued progress on the water helped those wounds begin to heal. In time, windsurfing felt so good physically and psychologically that it would bring me to tears on the water. I would spend hours practicing the basics and quickly improve. This sport was one of the catalysts that helped accelerate my healing process. When my skills had reached the great lake level, I started sailing with my neighbour Danny. He is one of the best windsurfers in eastern Ontario and travels worldwide, pursuing his passion in his spare time. In 2018 when Wing Foiling first came out, I quickly felt like this sport would take my love for wind and water to the next level. Our Co-Host Tom helped me find gear and gave me my first intro lesson! I quickly picked up the sport and learnt the basics. I then contacted some kite schools on Vancouver Island (Elevation Kiteboarding & Windrider Kiteboarding) and started teaching for them! Shortly after, Tom and I created the Wing Life podcast to help share our stoke and knowledge of wind sports with others.

What is Foil Life Podcast by SFT?

Welcome to the Foil Life Podcast by SFT, the official podcast of the Surf Foil World Tour! Join us as we dive into the exhilarating world of foiling, covering five core disciplines—pump foiling, surf foiling, e-foiling, wake foiling, and downwind SUP foiling—plus the dynamic art of wing foiling. From expert tips, exclusive updates from the Surf Foil World Tour, and inspiring stories of athletes, innovators, and passionate riders to gear release and review episodes where we talk with top brands about the latest innovations hitting the market, we’re your ultimate source for all things foil. Whether you’re honing your skills, planning epic foil adventures, or geeking out on cutting-edge gear, tune in for unmatched stoke and insights.