Benjamin Castenskiold and Marie Schlittenbauer take the 2025 Surf-Freestyle World Titles
by Gemma Hamaini 9 Aug 07:55 PDT
5-8 August 2025
The GWA returned to Gran Canaria for the third consecutive year, but 2025 brought a fresh twist with a new competition site — the vibrant and wind-blessed shores of El Burrero.
Known for its cross-onshore winds and perfect kickers, this fresh location offered ideal conditions for Surf-Freestyle action, and the world's best riders rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion.
With 23 men and 14 women on the roster, all eyes were on this final Surf-Freestyle event of the season — where the 2025 World Titles were still up for grabs.
On the men's side, reigning champion Chris MacDonald was determined to defend his crown. But Benji Castenskiold, Tomas Acherer, and Aleks Acherer were all within reach of the title, ready to make their move.
In the women's fleet, Nia Suardiaz sat at the top of the rankings, but both Mar de Arce and Marie Schlittenbauer remained strong contenders. With the title on the line, El Burrero set the stage for an unforgettable finale to the 2025 Surf-Freestyle season.
Men's Quarter Finals: Fireworks from the first heat
The action lit up quickly during the quarter finals as athletes battled for a spot in the top 8. With Gran Canaria's classic strong winds in full force, riders were allowed seven trick attempts, with their best three scores counting.
Xavi Corr and Tomas Acherer set the tone early, both throwing down massive Palau Frontside 7s to secure their spots in the semi-finals.
Benji Castenskiold showed why he's a title contender, delivering a flawless performance that included a perfect 10 for his stunning Frontside 14. He advanced alongside Luca Vuillermet.
In the third quarter final, Axel Gerard and Aleks Acherer edged out a tightly contested heat against Malo Guenole and Clement Hamon.
The final quarter final was another nail-biter, but ultimately Benjamin May and Chris MacDonald secured the last two places in the semis.
Men's Semi Finals: World titles on the line
The pressure intensified in Semi Final 1, as twin brothers Tomas and Aleks Acherer faced off against Benjamin May and Benji Castenskiold. With titles on the line, Benji delivered another world-class performance, scoring 29.20 points to secure the top spot. The second spot went to Aleks Acherer, who narrowly advanced ahead of his brother Tomas and Benjamin May.
Semi Final 2 opened with Xavi Corr taking a commanding early lead. But it was Axel Gerard who lit up the heat with a breathtaking Double Backflip, scoring 9.83 points.
Meanwhile, both Chris MacDonald and Luca Vuillermet struggled under pressure, with multiple crashes leaving them outside the qualification zone. MacDonald's final trick — a do-or-die moment — ended in a crash, costing him his shot at defending his World Title.
With MacDonald out, the door swung wide open for Benji Castenskiold or Aleks Acherer to take the crown.
Men's Final: Castenskiold's crowning moment
The atmosphere was electric as Benji Castenskiold, Axel Gerard, Aleks Acherer, and Xavi Corr lined up for the final battle of the season — with the 2025 World Title still undecided.
The finalists played it safe in the early exchanges, locking in their most reliable tricks. But Axel Gerard took things to another level, once again landing a perfect 10 for another massive Double Backflip.
Midway through the heat, the scores were tight. Once their three counting tricks were secured, riders began upping the ante. The pressure began to mount — and Aleks Acherer faltered, unable to land his final tricks. Xavi Corr also struggled to close strong.
The duel for first place came down to Gerard and Castenskiold. Benji was consistent throughout, while Gerard delivered the highest trick scores. But when Gerard crashed on his final attempt, the title slipped through his fingers.
With that, Benji Castenskiold not only claimed the event win, but also became the 2025 GWA Wingfoil Surf-Freestyle World Champion — a staggering accomplishment for the 14-year-old in his first full season on tour.
Final Men's Results:
1st Benjamin Castenskiold (DEN)
2nd Axel Gerard (FRA)
3rd Xavi Corr (AUS)
4th Alex Acherer (AUT)
Women's Division: Elite performances at El Burrero
In Round 3, Nia Suardiaz, the reigning World Champion, made a powerful statement by opening her heat with a clean backflip.
Marie Schlittenbauer, still riding high from her Fuerteventura victory, impressed with a massive Palau Frontside 3 followed by a stylish Frontflip — scoring 25.87 points in a dominant heat win.
The conditions at El Burrero allowed the women to fully showcase their rapidly evolving skill level. Both Mar de Arce and Manon Dupe advanced directly to the semi-finals.
Round 4 saw Bowien van der Linden ride with precision and control, advancing to the semis with a clear lead. Allegra Caffi followed suit, delivering a steady and consistent heat.
Zara Maillard and Viola Lippitsch also locked in their spots, rounding out a strong semi-final lineup.
Women's title battles
Semi-final one hit the water first, featuring Viola Lippitsch, Bowien van der Linden, Manon Dupe, and Mar de Arce. All four athletes were neck and neck throughout the heat, with the tension building right down to the final trick attempt.
Then came a moment of brilliance. Mar de Arce landed a stunning Front Flip, catapulting herself into first place. With that, she locked in her spot in the final, followed by Viola Lippitsch in second.
Semi-final two was just as intense, with Marie Schlittenbauer and Nia Suardiaz battling for a place in the finals—joined by Zara Maillard and Allegra Caffi. Schlittenbauer took early control of the heat, with Maillard close behind in second. Meanwhile, reigning World Champion Nia Suardiaz seemed to feel the weight of defending her title. A string of crashes on her final trick attempts left her trailing in third.
As the buzzer sounded, it was Schlittenbauer who claimed the top spot.
Maillard secured second but despite her efforts, Suardiaz couldn't recover—and was eliminated from the competition.
With Nia out, the door was wide open. The 2025 World Title would come down to Mar de Arce or Marie Schlittenbauer.
The finals kicked off—and from the very first moments, Marie Schlittenbauer was unstoppable. Determined not to let the opportunity for a World Title slip through her fingers, she came out firing.
As the heat progressed, it became clear: no one could match her pace. Despite the best efforts of Maillard, Lippitsch, and De Arce—locked in their own battle for second and third—Schlittenbauer held her ground.
Heading into the final round of tricks, the result was all but sealed. Even with crashes on her last attempts, Schlittenbauer's lead was untouchable. She had done enough.
And with that, she sailed back to shore—crowned the 2025 Surf-Freestyle World Champion. An incredible achievement in her very first season on tour.
Mar de Arce secured second place, Lippitsch took third, and Maillard rounded out the final in fourth.
Final event results women:
1st Marie Schlittenbauer (GER)
2nd Mar de Arce (ESP)
3rd Viola Lippitsch (AUT)
4th Zara Maillard (CHE)
The 2025 GWA Wingfoil World Cup at El Burrero was a truly historic showdown, marking the rise of new champions and showcasing the ever-elevating level of performance in Surf-Freestyle wingfoiling. With ideal conditions, passionate athletes, and dramatic storylines — this was a season finale for the ages.