Big winds, big waves, and even bigger stoke—Benji had an unforgettable trip to Fuerteventura with the Cabrinha crew for the highly anticipated 2025 gear launch! Get ready for an inside look at the future of wing foiling straight from the source!

Hi Benji! We can’t wait to hear all about your trip to Fuerteventura with the Cabrinha team to launch the 2025 lineup! How was the overall experience of the trip to Fuerteventura with the Cabrinha team?

It’s always a great time with the Cabrinha crew! The whole trip was an awesome experience. I never take for granted the opportunity to work alongside such an epic group of riders. The energy was high, the conditions were pumping, and it was a blast from start to finish.

This trip was all about launching the 2025 Cabrinha lineup. What was the vibe on set? Did everything go as planned?

The vibe was amazing! We had a solid plan going in, and everything ran smoothly. We got a ton of incredible footage, and beyond just the technical side, the whole team enjoyed the trip. It wasn’t just about getting the shots—it was about celebrating the new gear and making memories.

The 2025 lineup looks next-level! What were the standout products for wingfoiling, and what improvements can riders expect?

Yeah, it’s super exciting! One of the biggest highlights in the wing range is the new AER wing—it’s been made for riders wanting something ultra-lightweight and easy to handle. It’s the lightest wing in the line-up, with the 4m coming in just under 2kg, which is lighter than most aluula wings. It’s the ideal wing for doing wing up/down winders or just having something that packs down super small. It is also made in really small sizes, which opens things up to riders of all ages. The 1, 1.3, and 1.6m wings are ideal for kids, but they’ve been properly built and are just as suitable for use when the wind is really cranking!  I think my Dad will be stealing my small ones in Hood River when the winds are wild, haha!

Which new features or designs impressed you the most?

One of the biggest upgrades this year is the switch to Teijin D2 ripstop canopy material in the wings. This material makes the wings feel more rigid and durable and helps prevent them from stretching over time. Riders can expect a longer-lasting performance and a crisper feel on the water.

Fuerteventura is famous for its strong winds and epic conditions. How did it deliver for you and the team?

Fuerteventura did not disappoint! We had those classic strong trade winds, and massive ocean swells. It was the perfect testing ground, enabling us to put the gear into some heavy conditions. It’s a pretty unforgiving place with a coastline on the north coast, which is all reef, so we had to have our wits about ourselves on the bigger days. However, with Elena Romero joining us, we had some great insider knowledge, so we always managed to ride the happening spots at the right times.  I don’t think we broke a single wing or foil during the trip which must have been a new record!

How did the new wings, foils, or boards perform in Fuerteventura’s conditions? Any setups that stood out?

One setup that really stood out was the new Vision wing. The Vision has been my go-to wing for the past seasons, so I am pretty excited to try the next iteration.  The 2025 Vision has an updated dihedral design, making it an absolute game-changer for freestyle. This dihedral helps when spinning and allows you to rotate quicker and tighter with more control. You can feel the stability in the air, which is key for staying balanced during spins and really helps to nail more technical tricks like Palau’s and multiple spin/flip tricks.

What were the best sessions of the trip? Any unforgettable moments on the water?

One session, in particular, at Majanicho, was just unreal. There was a massive ocean swell rolling in that was closing out Majanicho. The wind was a perfect side shore, so you could ride really fast directly at these big mountainous wave rams and just send it straight off the top. It was exhilarating, and having James on the ski shooting back made for some great shots. Honestly, what more could you ask for?!

Did you face any challenges with conditions, logistics, or equipment?

The usual daily challenges are always involved when deciding where to shoot to combine riding conditions with what the media guys need. In a place like Fuerteventura, the conditions are very changeable, and it can be hard to predict where it will be, even when looking at an accurate forecast. The key is for everyone to chip in and be ready to ride if the light is on, even when the riding might be harder or less fun. I learned this during my first shoot last year with the team in Tiree, and it’s helped this year. I feel like I’ve been able to participate more and get more out of the shoot this year, so that’s been a really good learning process.

The Cabrinha team is stacked with talent—what was it like riding and working alongside them?

Majestic. No other word for it!  Riding together with Titouan, Ancor, Elena and Alby while James and Antonio swam shooting was just a lot of fun; there were loads of smiles on the water, and the stoke was always high. It’s a nice mix of ages and personalities, so the atmosphere translated well while we were on the water.

What would it be if you had to pick just one highlight from the trip?

Spending half an hour upside down, hooked into the foot straps of a twin tip just to get the perfect shot. Yep, that happened!

Any advice for riders looking to upgrade their wing foiling setup with the new Cabrinha gear?

It feels like the gear is currently evolving at lightning speed. The new wings have amazing canopy tension and feel stable across all models. I’d say give the Mantis and Vision a try back-to-back and decide which one suits your needs. The AER stands out quite uniquely, and I think will really benefit younger riders or dedicated wave sailors. I’m in a unique position where I get to try all the wings out, and I really favour the Vision, but there’s something for everyone in the range, so the best way is to get to a demo and give them all a spin.

Where’s your next adventure? Are any exciting trips or competitions on the horizon?

This year is huge for me—I finally hit the age limit to compete in the GWA Freestyle Tour, so that’s my big focus for 2025. Beyond that? Just having as much fun as possible on the water!

Thanks, Benji!

Thanks, Jen!

By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.

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