Second of back-to-back Canary Islands calls pivotal for Surf-Freestyle and FreeFly-Slalom seasons
GWA Wingfoil World Cup Fuerteventura
27 July—1 August, 2026 | Sotavento
The fight for the 2026 GWA Wingfoil world titles reaches its critical phase when the tour heads straight heads to Fuerteventura for the second half of the Canary Islands double-header.
With barely time for the riders to catch their breath, the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Fuerteventura could prove decisive in both the Surf-Freestyle and FreeFly-Slalom championship races.
For the Surf-Freestyle fleet, the event represents the fourth of five scheduled stops in 2026, leaving competitors with just one opportunity after Sotavento to keep their title hopes alive. Every heat, every trick and every point could make the difference as the battle for the crowns enters the home straight.
The men’s championship has already delivered plenty of twists this season. Defending world champion Benjamin Castenskiold recovered from an early elimination at the season opener in Leucate to claim victory at the Tarifa Wing Pro, reaffirming his status as one of the favourites for the title.
But with former world champion the US’s Chris MacDonald, Austria’s Tomas Acherer, Italy’s Rocco Makana and an increasingly deep international fleet all chasing the Dane, the margins at the top remain razor-thin.
Engrossing contest
The women’s contest is proving just as engrossing. Spain’s Nia Suardiaz opened the season with victory in Leucate before Germany’s Marie Schlittenbauer announced her return by winning in Tarifa after missing the opening event.
The reigning world champion, Schlittenbauer, 16, immediately thrust herself back into title contention, setting up what promises to be a fascinating battle over the closing stages of the season.
While Surf-Freestyle approaches its climax, the FreeFly-Slalom championship reaches the halfway mark at Sotavento. Fuerteventura hosts the second of just three events on the 2026 calendar, making it a pivotal stop for every rider with ambitions of lifting a world title.
Current GWA FreeFly-Slalom World Champions, France’s Bastien Escofet and Nia Suardiaz will be aiming to build on their campaigns after the opening stop in Gran Canaria, but neither can afford a mistake with so few scoring opportunities available and no discard available.
Powerful men’s field
Former two-time world champion, Italy’s Francesco Cappuzzo, heads a powerful men’s field alongside the French trio of Romain Ghio, Alan Fedit and Julien Rattotti who will be looking to build momentum in their title challenges.
The women’s racing is likely to be just as fiercely contested. France’s Kylie Belloeuvre finished second overall last season and has her eyes fixed on the world title prize. Spain’s Mar de Arce and Austria’s Viola Lippitsch will be looking to close the gap to Suardiaz before the championship reaches its decisive finale in Brazil, in November.
Now in its 38th edition, the Fuerteventura World Cup remains one of the flagship events on the international windsports calendar.
The powerful trade winds, turquoise waters and stadium-like setting at Sotavento have made it a favourite among riders and spectators alike, providing the perfect arena for a week that could define the outcome of both the Surf-Freestyle and FreeFly-Slalom world title races.
words: Ian MacKinnon
images: Lukas K Stiller
Event information
- Location: Playa Barca, Sotavento
- Dates: 27 July—1 August, 2026
- All event information here.
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Spot Info: Playa Barca, Sotavento
Weather
The weather in Fuerteventura, Spain, during July, ranges around 25-30°C with sunrise around 07:15 and sunset at 21:00.
Wind and water
July is a great month for wind in Fuerteventura. The wind regularly blows 20-25+ knots, coming from the north/north-east, which blows side offshore at Sotavento. The water is choppy with occasional kickers rolling in with the swell. Water temperature is 23-24°C, so bring a shorty or summer wetsuit.
